Chicago Bulls teammates Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic are using social media to exchange in some pregame pleasantries in advance of Friday's Olympic semifinal between Team USA and Spain.
Mirotic should feel a little more confident heading into Friday's showdown in Rio de Janeiro given that he had one of the best games of the tournament in a quarterfinal victory over France on Wednesday. The lanky big man scored 23 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists as Spain advanced.
Butler's game has been more defense-oriented in these Games, but he has to like the confidence Mirotic is showing on and off the floor in Rio. Like the rest of his Bulls teammates, Butler has to be hoping Mirotic can bring his newfound confidence back to Chicago to help Fred Hoiberg's team improve upon a disappointing season. In the short term, Butler and his U.S. teammates are going to have to find a way to slow Mirotic if they want to play for another gold medal.
No matter how Friday's game turns out, expect Butler, Mirotic and former Bull and current Spain center Pau Gasol to share a few moments together after it ends.