Butler reveals he’s taken talents to silver screen
DALLAS — There was the sock- monkey commercial, the game of H- O- R- S- E with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Erin Heatherton and quick appearances on TV shows such as ‘‘ Wahlburgers’’ and David Blaine’s ‘‘ Beyond Magic.’’
Now throw movies into Bulls star Jimmy Butler’s repertoire.
Butler confirmed Saturday that he makes a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie ‘‘ Office Christmas Party,’’ which stars Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, T. J. Miller and Kate McKinnon. His role? Himself. ‘‘ When did that happen?’’ Butler said. ‘‘ Over the summer, down in Atlanta. I got a chance to be able to be a part of that with some really great human beings.’’
How he got the part was simple. Being good friends with actor Mark Wahlberg has some perks.
‘‘ The man himself. Who else would do that?’’ Butler said when he was asked how the process got started. ‘‘[ Wahlberg] called me, and he was like, ‘ Yo, you want to be in a movie?’ I’m thinking it was going to be with him.
‘‘ He was like, ‘ Yeah, a buddy of mine is looking for you, somebody that plays in Chicago,’ because the role was based in Chicago. So I got to be myself, which was the easiest part to play.
‘‘ I’m at the party in the movie. I’m not going to tell you what happens, but let’s say I’m a surprise whenever everyone sees me there. I’m not expected to be there, obviously.’’
The release date is Friday, but Butler is looking to land a private screening for his teammates.
‘‘ It’s pretty decent,’’ Butler said. ‘‘ I haven’t seen the full cut of it yet, but I think we’re going to do a full screening for everybody to see. I heard the movie is really funny. I saw the previews, and I was like, ‘ Oh, my God.’ ’’
No, thanks
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg wanted nothing to do with questions about Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s admission that he used marijuana twice to help him with his back pain, but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had no problem weighing in.
‘‘ For every performanceenhancing drug, there is the ability to get an exception,’’ Cuban said. ‘‘ And if there’s medicinal value to it, you get an exception. So I don’t think it’s any big conversation or discussion because it’s for a medical reason. There’s guys across professional sports that take testosterone because, medically, they need to do it. Why would it be any different?’’
McDermott plan
Hoiberg said forward Doug McDermott ( concussion) will start taking contact in two- on- two games Sunday, then will practice with the D- League Windy City Bulls on Monday and Tuesday.
McDermott has missed the last nine games as he works his way out of the concussion protocol.
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