NBA Player Power Rankings: Draymond Green is Rising

NBA Player Power Rankings: Draymond Green Surging

Dec 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (left) reacts as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (right) looks on in the first half of a NBA basketball game on Christmas at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) looks to pass the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: No. 13

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .459/.330/.831

Season Averages: 37.8 MPG, 22.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.2 3PM

Jimmy Butler is on fire. The Chicago Bulls have won five consecutive games, and over the past week, no player has looked better in their uniform than the 26-year-old from Houston, Texas.

If you questioned Butler’s star status before, you should be silent now.

Butler opened the week with a strong outing, posting 23 points and six assists in a 108-81 dismantling of the New York Knicks. What followed were two of the best performances of his already impressive NBA career.

That includes a 42-point eruption at the Toronto Raptors—one in which he broke Michael Jordan‘s franchise record for points in a single half.

In the encore performance, Butler tallied 32 points and 10 assists on 11-of-21 shooting in a 117-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Over the past six quarters, Butler has scored 72 points—reason enough for him to move up this list. The fact that he’s been instrumental in Chicago reemerging as a championship contender only strengthens his case.

To quote the incomparable Stacey King, his name is Jimmy G. Buckets, and the, “G,” is for, “Gets.”

Next: Brand or Garnett?