Jimmy Butler named NBA’s most improved player
Bulls’ Jimmy Butler receives the NBA’s most improved player award.
Expect some Jimmy Butler chants at the United Center on Friday night.
Jimmy Butler, the Chicago Bulls forward, has been named the NBA’s most improved player for the 2015 season. Butler accepted the Most Improved Player of the Year honor and addressed the media following the Bull’s practice session on Thursday afternoon.
Following short speeches from general manager Gar Forman and head coach Tom Thibodeau, Butler took the podium.
Thibodeau on Butler at MIP presser: "I believe he’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA today. It hasn’t happened by accident."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 7, 2015
Bulter began his speech by thanking the Bulls organization. “First off, I’d like to thank my teammates because without them it definitely wouldn’t be possible,” Butler said. “I feel like the Bulls are just as proud of me [as I am].”
“I just want to continue to improve because I think there is so much that I could get better at,”
To conclude the speech, Butler reiterated his desire to help his team get to the top of the mountain.
Jimmy Butler "I want to win a championship. That is the final goal." #MIP
— Mark Carman (@thecarm) May 7, 2015
Teammates Joakim Noah, Tony Snell, Mike Dunleavy, E’Twaun Moore, Cameron Bairstow and Doug McDermott were all in attendance as were Butler’s two brothers.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, who finished second in the voting, voiced his support for Butler as well.
Draymond Green not upset at all about coming in second for Most Improved Player award. Jimmy Butler "had my vote." #Warriors
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 7, 2015
To Green’s point, the jump that Bulter made this season is an impressive one. In 2014-2015, Butler led the Bulls in scoring with 20 points per game this season. Butler also leads the team in the categories of steals (114) and free throw percentage (83.4%) and is second on the team in assists (212).
Congrats to Jimmy on well-deserved honor. His one year jump from defensive stopper to NBA All-Star is remarkable. #BullsTalk
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) May 7, 2015
It really is remarkable how far Butler has come in four years. I don't think anyone in the organization believed Butler could be this good.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 7, 2015
Isn’t it nice to be pleasantly surprised?
Now, Jimmy, if you could just focus on re-gaining the series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers, you’d make the city of Chicago very happy.