Jimmy Butler named NBA All-Defensive Second Team

The National Basketball Association announced today that Chicago Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler was selected to the 2015-16 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. For Butler, the distinction marks the third straight season that he has earned All-Defensive Second Team honors. On the year, Butler recorded 110 steals in 67 games (1.64 spg, 18th in the NBA). The feat marked Butler’s third straight season with 100 or more steals in a season. As a result, he joined Norm Van Lier (five straight seasons), Wilbur Holland (three straight seasons), Michael Jordan (two such streaks: seven straight seasons and three straight seasons) and Scottie Pippen (nine straight seasons) as the only players in franchise history to register 100 or more steals in three consecutive seasons. From March 28, 2015 to Jan. 11, 2016, Butler recorded at least one steal in a career-high 44 straight games (prev. 27); it is the second-longest streak by a Bull in the last 30 seasons. Butler, who garnered 18 First Team votes and an overall total of 62 points, was joined on the All-Defensive Second Team by forwards Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks (97 points, 11 First Team votes) and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (48 points, five First Team votes), center Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat (126 points, 44 First Team votes) and guard Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (121 points, 44 First Team votes). The NBA All-Defensive First Team features forwards Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs (260 points, 130 First Team Votes) and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (251 points, 123 First Team votes), center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers (137 points, 47 First Team votes) and guards Avery Bradley of the Boston Celtics (149 points, 62 First Team votes) and Chris Paul of the Clippers (148 points, 59 First Team votes). Players were awarded two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. Voters were asked to select two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly. Players who received votes at multiple positions were slotted at the position where they received the most votes.