11 biggest surprises from the 2014-15 NBA season so far

By Evan Massey | Mar 13, 2015

Dec 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kyle Korver (26) and small forward DeMarre Carroll (5) and point guard Jeff Teague (0) and center Al Horford (15) walk on the court against the Utah Jazz in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Butler

Another big surprise so far during the 2014-15 season has been Chicago Bulls rising star Jimmy Butler. He turned down a very lucrative contract offer from the team this past offseason, and decided to bet on himself being able to raise his value up throughout the course of the year.

Butler has put up big numbers all season long, and he has consistently been the Bulls’ top scorer throughout the season. He has averaged 20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

At 25, he has a very bright future and is going to be asked to continue improving and becoming the star that he appears to be.

Chicago is going to need him to do that even more with the injury issues that Derrick Rose has gone through. He suffered yet another knee injury, but it doesn’t appear to be as serious as some he has had in the past.

Despite that, Butler is a huge piece for the Bulls moving forward, and has been a major surprise this season.

Next: 7. The NBA Trading Deadline

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