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Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler to Receive Most Improved Player

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) practices before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) practices before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the course of the past calendar year, no player has improved quite as significantly as Jimmy Butler. Others have defied the odds to raise their game, including Chicago Bulls teammate Pau Gasol, but none have done what Butler has.

The NBA is reportedly prepared to recognize Butler as the 2014-15 NBA Most Improved Player.

An award well-earned.

All eyes may have been on Gasol’s historic season, but Butler shined for Chicago in an incomparable way. He was the primary perimeter defender and the most dependable scorer for the 50-32 Bulls.

Both statistically and stylistically, Butler’s tremendous season made arguments against his winning Most Improved Player those without good reason. He shined as a scorer, excelled as a defender and revealed new layers to his game.

In turn, Butler rightfully became the first Bulls player to receive the award.

It’s a prestigious honor.

The previous five players to win Most Improved Player before Butler were Paul George, Ryan Anderson, Kevin Love, Aaron Brooks and Danny Granger. George and Love are considered premier talents, while Anderson is a revered sharpshooter and Brooks was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in 2014-15.

Prior to his injuries, Granger was viewed as one of the top two-way players in the NBA.

Butler’s rise to glory is perhaps more profound than those who came before him. He played the same number of minutes per game in 2014-15 as he did in 2013-14, but his numbers accurately reflected his dramatic improvement.

Jimmy Butler from 2013-14 to 2014-15

Jimmy ButlerMPGPPGRPGORPGAPGSPGBPGFG%3P%FT%
2013-1438.713.14.91.32.61.90.5.397.283.769
2014-1538.720.05.81.83.31.80.6.462.378.834
Difference0.0+6.9+0.9+0.5+0.7-0.1+0.1+6.5%+9.5%+6.5%

Not only did Butler improve as a scorer, but his efficiency shot up with it. That includes a decrease in turnovers per game, albeit by 0.1, with a significantly bigger role.

Butler’s usage rate jumped from 16.1 percent in 2013-14 to 20.6 percent in 2014-15.

With such a meteoric rise in production and efficiency, it became difficult to make a case against Butler. Even with the historic nature of Gasol’s season, Butler’s development perfectly reflects what it means to win Most Improved Player.

Other candidates had strong seasons, but none offered as compelling a case as Butler.

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