NBA Player Power Rankings: Who's Hot, Who's Not?

NBA Player Power Rankings: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after shooting a three-point shot during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center. The Bulls won 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: No. 9

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .455/.333/.833

Season Averages: 38.0 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.2 3PM

Verdict: Hot

The past two weeks may have been the best of Jimmy Butler’s NBA career. Leading up to the previous player power rankings, he scored 42 points against the Toronto Raptors, and had 32 points and 10 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Over the course of the his most recent week, Butler proved that his offensive eruptions weren’t flukes.

The Chicago Bulls star recorded 19 points and 10 assists in a win over the Boston Celtics—his second consecutive game with at least 10 dimes. He then scored 27 points at the Atlanta Hawks, posted 19 points and seven assists against the Washington Wizards, and dropped 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists on the Bucks.

At 26 years old, Butler is doing everything in his power to earn a second All-Star Game appearance.

Butler’s declined a bit as an individual defender, but he’s still one of the Top 20 players in Defensive Win Shares. He takes on the toughest defensive assignments on a nightly basis, and even when the opposition scores, they have to work to simply get a shot off.

Butler’s been the heart and soul of the Bulls in 2015-16.

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