Draymond Green was runner-up to Jimmy Butler for which award in the 2014–15 NBA season?

Draymond Green was runner-up to Jimmy Butler for the NBA Most Improved Player Award in the 2014–15 season. Butler, then with the Chicago Bulls, won the award, while Green of the Golden State Warriors finished second in the official voting.

The award recognizes a player who has made a major improvement from earlier seasons. Butler made a significant leap in 2014–15, earning his first All-Star selection and setting career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists. He averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Green’s case was also strong. In his third NBA season, he became an important two-way player for Golden State, contributing elite defense, rebounding and playmaking. He received 11 first-place votes and 200 total points. Butler received 92 first-place votes and 535 points, while Utah’s Rudy Gobert finished third with 189 points.

The result is sometimes confused with Green’s later honors. Green eventually won the 2016–17 Defensive Player of the Year Award, but his 2014–15 runner-up finish was for Most Improved Player. Butler became the first Bulls player to win that award.