The Give and Go: Jimmy Butler: Star?

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The Give and Go is a quick back and forth between Paul Mitchell and Chris St. Jean about a relevant subject in the NBA at that moment.

Chris:  With Rose in and out of the lineup and some other key parts as well (Gibson, Gasol, Noah), the Bulls have hung in there at 9-6.  A lot has fallen on fourth year guard Jimmy Butler and he’s taken on the challenge averaging 21.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists (all career highs).  Tom Thibodeau recently called Butler ‘a star’.  Has Jimmy Butler grown into a star Mitchell?  

The Give and Go: 2014 Early Extensions

The Give and Go is a quick back and forth between Paul Mitchell and Chris St. Jean about a relevant subject in the NBA at that moment.

Chris:  A record 9 rookies (1st rounders) from the 2011-12 draft agreed to early contract extensions before the October 31st deadline, compared to 6 last season.  Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler were among those that did not come to agreements and expect to become restricted free agents similar to Greg Monroe (qualifying offer), Eric Bledsoe (5 years, $70 M), Gordon Hayward (4 years, $55 M), and Avery Bradley (4 years, $32 M) were this past offseason.  Obviously, the new television deal had some kind of impact on this.  What surprised you about the deals that were made and those that weren’t?