Bulls guard Jimmy Butler makes NBA all-defensive second team

Jimmy Butler’s breakout year, which has already earned him Most Improved Player honors, has landed him on the NBA’s all-defensive second team.

Butler, who was playing for a max contract, received 44 first-team votes (worth two points), 44 second-team votes (worth one) for 132 total points. It’s the second consecutive year Butler has made the all-defensive second team.

Anthony Davis, Andrew Bogut, John Wall and Tim Duncan joined Butler on the second team. Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, Tony Allen, DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul were the first-team selections.

Butler made his first all-star team this season after reaching career-highs in points per game (20), assists (3.3) and rebounds (5.8).

Butler gambled on himself by passing on a contract extension with the Bulls that would have earned him $11 million. He clearly won that gamble, maintaining his status as one of the league’s best defenders while also becoming one of the NBA’s top offensive wings.