PORTLAND, Ore. -- Jimmy Butler has a companion with him on the road this season.

Since the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer, the Chicago Bulls All-Star swingman has packed a football with him on trips. The football, given to him by Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown, has made appearances in NBA arenas and practice facilities all across the country and is sure to be seen on the Bulls' current six-game road trip, which starts in Portland on Tuesday night and ends in Philadelphia on Nov. 25. For a team that struggled with unity last season, the football has become a symbol of what the Bulls hope will be a more cohesive group this season.

Dwyane Wade noted that when his friends ask about his new team, one of the first things he mentions is the ball.

"I'm like, 'Man, Jimmy carries this football around everywhere,'" Wade said. "But the cool thing was, after one of the practices, we were out there playing catch, etc. I'm in there taking a shower before we go to Harvard and Boston, and I just hear so much commotion on the court. I come out there, coach is playing catch, all these things. It's cool. Small things build some kind of camaraderie. It builds some kind of something that you need. Because sometimes, especially when you're losing, a lot of people -- you lose that eye contact. You lose that communication and talking. Small things like [throwing a football] help. It helps kind of relax a situation.

"So I didn't know why he carried that football around like that everywhere he went ... but this is cool for this team. It's a moment that you take just to build something. Anything, when you've got a new group together, is something."

Jimmy Butler has a companion everywhere he goes on the road this season -- a football from Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro receiver, and good friend, Antonio Brown. Nick Friedell

Butler saw during his time with Team USA in Rio that a lot of players enjoyed the camaraderie that came with throwing the ball around.

"I think everybody loves football," Butler said. "It gives you something else to do, compete in. Who can catch better, who can throw the ball the best? It brings everybody a little closer together, I guess."

Butler's point was on full display following a recent practice at Emerson College in Boston. After Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg finished speaking to the media, he walked toward Butler and the two began tossing the football back and forth. Given the pair's rocky history last season, the simple act of playing catch served as an interesting beginning to a new season, especially given that Butler acknowledged the same day that "maybe I judged somebody too quickly," in regard to Hoiberg.

For his part, Hoiberg has repeatedly praised the chemistry of his new-look team early in this campaign. The young coach seems much more at ease with his players this season, underscored by the brief exchanges with the team football.

"It's huge to have chemistry," Hoiberg said. "When you're out there playing for your teammate, when you're having fun with your teammate, it's a lot easier game to play. I think when you have that chemistry, it breeds confidence. And this game is a lot easier to play when you have that as opposed to going out there and playing timid."

Few Bulls players are timid when they come in contact with the football. Each player, it seems, believes he is better than what his teammates believe -- which increases the trash talking within the group. As he did with Team USA, Butler loves telling his teammates how good of a wide receiver he is.

"I will embarrass you," Butler said to a couple of teammates after a recent practice. "I will embarrass you on the football field."

In quieter moments, Butler acknowledges he probably couldn't make it in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he's not the best football player on his own team. The bravado he has while discussing his football prowess with teammates is even more grandiose than his confidence on the basketball floor.

"Nobody remembers D-Wade for that," Butler said of Wade's brief high school football career. "I try to remind him every day that he wore No. 3 at Marquette and I wore 33 because I was twice as good as him. Just joking. D-Wade could actually play football. That’s what’s crazy, because he’s got really big hands, so he could throw the ball easy and he can catch it extremely well too. But I’m not going to say he’s on my level in football. I’m just not going to say that."

Brown, who got to know Butler through the pair's trainer, Travelle Gaines, knows how much his good friend enjoys the game.

“Jimmy loves football," the Steelers receiver said. "He’s always running routes with me. He always wants to cover me. He’s in great shape. Can run all day. Extremely fast. The guy’s a competitor. That’s what makes him great.”

As for the football, Brown said he "always" gives Butler a ball during the season. This particular one came from Butler's Week 2 trip to Pittsburgh to see Brown and the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Once the NFL season ends, Brown said he is hoping to get to "10-plus" Bulls games.

"That’s my brother, man," Brown said. "I’m honored to know Jimmy. Honored to be his friend. I’m ultimately a fan of him, but as my friend, that’s my brother. I’m a huge fan of the Bulls. I’m a huge fan of his. I watch all of his games. Just bought his jersey. I’m excited for the season he’s going to have. He’s been working at it all offseason. It’s great to know guys like Jimmy.”

Butler, who also has a close friendship with Denver Broncos star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, has built up his ideal football roster from within his Bulls squad. He believes Isaiah Canaan could be a "stocky corner" and he likes the arm Hoiberg has shown, but his starting point guard has made the biggest impression on Butler to date.

"I will say I think [Rajon] Rondo has the best arm on the team," Butler said. "I got the best hands, by far. So me and Rondo got to work on my snowbirding and his leak out. So, it's fun."

Like Butler, Rondo -- who played quarterback at Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky -- believes he can play on the gridiron.

"If we play flag football, I'm definitely starting at quarterback," Rondo said.

In trying to mature as a leader this season, Butler is helping his team grow closer with a simple gesture. His friends also have more belief in Butler's football game than he does.

"I think he’s got what it takes to be a receiver," Brown said. "I don’t know if he’s willing to get hit a lot. But he loves the game of football. He could do it if he wants.”

ESPN NFL Nation Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler contributed to this story.