Butler: Bulls have enough talent, need more grit

For the first time in his five-year career, Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler has been relegated to spectator for the NBA playoffs.

The Bulls were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday following an Indiana Pacers win, ending a season rife with injuries and inconsistency.

"You can't pick just one area," Butler told reporters when asked what went wrong. "It's not always on the floor. I think that's the majority of it. When we step out in between those lines, we need to be together. (We) gotta compete from the start and all the way to the finish."

There appeared to be a divide in the locker room for most of the season. Butler called out rookie head coach Fred Hoiberg in December, demanding he be tougher on the players. He continued in March, saying that the team continuously gets beat on the court, and guys aren't fighting enough.

Veteran center Pau Gasol reiterated the same sentiment last week after the Bulls staved off elimination with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, saying the team lacked a sense of urgency and awareness at times.

Despite a lack of grit, Butler said Monday he believes the Bulls can win with their current roster, though the effort needs to be improved.

"With the group of guys that we have, we have enough talent, but I think everybody has to work hard," he said. "We gotta stay together throughout this whole thing."