PORTLAND, ORE. -- Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg isn't surprised.

When the topic of Jimmy Butler's recent play comes up, the young coach speaks like a man who expected this all along.

"I saw it in training camp," Hoiberg said. "I know the type of offseason that he had. It was huge for him to play on the Olympic team with all those top-level players. Not only in our league, but in the world, and to get that experience. And he brought a great mentality back. The thing that I've loved about him is just how he's continued to talk. He's continued to talk, he's been a great leader with his voice this year. He's such a physical presence out there.

"From a lead guard facilitator, we put the ball in his hands, bringing the ball down the floor a lot more than we did a year ago. Last year, we'd bring him off an action to get him to the top of the floor. Now he's bringing it down and going to work, especially when we get in the penalty. We want the ball in Jimmy's hands because of his ability to draw contact. But am I surprised about Jimmy's play? Absolutely not. He's a warrior. He's a guy who puts so much time and effort into his offseason. And he's just going to continue to grow and get better and continue to establish himself as one of the top two-way players in this league."

Jimmy Butler is averaging over five more points per game than through the first 10 games a season ago. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Over his first 10 games of the 2016-17 season, Butler has demonstrated that he wants to be viewed as more than just one of the "top two-way players" in the NBA.

He wants to be known as one of the best players in the league.

The difference in production over the first 10 games of Butler's season is undeniable. He is averaging over five more points per game compared to a season ago (24.3 vs. 19.2), according to ESPN Stats & Information. His assists (4.2 per game) are higher than they've ever been during the same span. He is averaging 9.3 free throw attempts per game, more than two more per game (7.1 in 2015-16) compared to a season ago. He is taking more shots (15.0) and shooting better from 3-point land (43.2 percent) than at any other point in his career.

Butler has been asked to do more as the focal point of a reworked roster, and he has delivered.

The aggressiveness in getting to the line has been one of the ways Butler's game has evolved most for the Bulls (6-4). Butler comes into Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers (7-4) ranked eighth in the league in free throw attempts.

"He's really taken it on his own," Hoiberg said of Butler's attempts to get to the line more. "His physicality at that position, at the 2-guard position or the 3, or even the point when we've got the ball in his hands, there's not a lot of guys with that type of strength to go through people and create that contact and still be able to finish or at least get that shot up.

"He's done such a great job of getting himself to the free throw line, getting us free points, and he's shooting it at a very high clip so he'll continue to do that."

Butler wanted Hoiberg to place more weight on his shoulders this season. He wanted the responsibility to try and do everything each night. So while the rest of the league marvels at his numbers, for his part, Butler seems to be taking his production in stride.

"I don't consider that carrying," Butler said after dropping 37 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds on the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. "I consider that making some shots, getting fouled, doing what they need me to do. That's being aggressive. [Dwyane] Wade's always telling me every game you got to come out with energy. You have to come out and be aggressive on both ends of the floor. I was just doing what my teammates want and need me to do."