Jimmy Butler, First Chicago Bulls Player to Win NBA Most Improved Player Award

Chicago Bulls Guard/Forward Jimmy Butler was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season, all were career-highs. Butler was selected to his first NBA All-Star game as a reserve this past February. Butler averaged 1.8 steals a game and finished 11th in the league in steals.

Butler has become one of the lockdown defenders in the league and his offense has definitely improved since last season. Butler averaged 13.1 points last season in 38.7 minutes per game last season. Butler led the NBA with 38.7 minutes per game this season. Butler has become the Bulls best player this season and their go to player on offense.

Butler is currently averaging 24.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.6 steals a game in seven playoff games. Butler will become a restricted free agent this off season and the Bulls are going to have to open their checkbook to keep him. Butler turned down a four-year $40 million contract extension with the Bulls earlier this season and could possibly double what the Bulls offered him. Butler will be entering his fifth NBA season in October and a two-way player that doesn’t mind guarding the best player on the opposing team. Butler should continue to get better and if he resigns with the Bulls, they should continue to be one of top contending teams for the next few years.

Photo courtesy of Sportsworldreport.com.