Chicago Bulls: The First Quarter Awards
Team MVP: Pau Gasol
Nov 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) against Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Chicago won 100 – 93. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, I know what some people are thinking.
“WHAT ABOUT JIMMY BUCKETS?!”
Yes, Jimmy Butler has been outstanding and extremely worthy of the extension (that he didn’t receive from the Bulls) before the October 31st deadline.
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But, looking back at the first quarter of the season, Pau Gasol has been the best off-season signing this year for any team in either conference.
Gasol has been a giant asset, scoring just under 20 points per game (19.8) and averaging his career-high in rebounds per game, 12.2. The 12.2 rebounds per contest are second in the NBA, only behind Los Angeles Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan.
His PER (player-effciency rating for those new to advanced statistics in basketball) is inside the top 25 ratings in the entire NBA, 21.61.
That rating is better than the likes of … Kyrie Irving, Mike Conley, LaMarcus Aldridge and of course — Jimmy Butler (21.34).
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