Bulls' Butler on superstar status: 'I just want to be a basketball player'

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler doesn't want to be called a "superstar." He has too much respect for true superstars like Taylor Swift.

When asked about his status as an emerging star in the NBA, a humble Butler quickly tamped down the hype. 

However, regardless of Butler's claims, his performance this season has taken him to the very fringe of superstardom.

In his fourth season, Butler has come into his own as the Bulls' best player. He averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals while leading the league in minutes played at 38.7 per game. Those averages were good enough to earn him his first All-Star berth.

Butler's game has improved by leaps and bounds, making him a leading candidate for Most Improved Player. Butler always was - and remains - an excellent defender, but he's developed into a well-rounded offensive threat. He became a better distributor, a lethal driver and a decent 3-point shooter, which led to career-highs in PER (21.3) and true shooting percentage (58.3).

Moreover, Butler has stepped up on the biggest stage. In this year's playoffs, he's averaging 24.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.6 steals through seven games. He even locked up LeBron James as part of the Bulls' road victory in Game 1.