Jimmy Butler has won the NBA's Most Improved Player award. The fourth-year wing beat out Golden State's Draymond Green and Utah's Rudy Gobert for the honor.
Jimmy Butler wins NBA’s Most Improved Player award
The Bulls’ wing took a big leap this season and is being recognized for it.
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Butler received 92 of 129 first-place votes. A total of 30 candidates earned at least one third-place vote.
Full list of Most Improved Player vote-getters: pic.twitter.com/XxIV2lI1Yr
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) May 7, 2015 Butler had a breakout year, going from defensive-minded role player to offensive focal point in a matter of months. He averaged 20 points, almost six rebounds and over three assists per game this season after logging 13 points, five rebounds and two and a half assists last year. His play was acknowledged with an All-Star berth, the first of his career.
Unlike other candidates who simply got more playing time, Butler truly improved on most facets of the game. He got to the line more often, his three-point shot became more reliable and his court vision and playmaking ability showed real growth. He was forced into a more prominent role by Derrick Rose’s various injuries and deliver the best performance of his young career, more than earning the distinction in the process.
He's the first Chicago Bull to win the award and joins recent winners Goran Dragic, Paul George, Ryan Anderson and Kevin Love in the list of players who have taken a leap into stardom from one year to the next.
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