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NBA Player Power Rankings: Top 20 Players at Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives toward the net during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won the game 115-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives toward the net during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won the game 115-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: No. 7

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .450/.317/.829

Season Averages: 38.1 MPG, 22.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.1 3PM

Jimmy Butler’s week was—well, there may not be an adjective for this one. He scored 53 points against the Philadelphia 76ers—a continuation of what was a stellar hot streak—and followed it with four points on 2-of-11 shooting against the Dallas Mavericks.

Confusing as that may be, you can’t knock 53 points.

Butler recorded 16 points and nine assists in a win over the Detroit Pistons, which helped restore some faith. His 23 empty points in a 125-94 home loss to the Golden State Warriors left something to be desired, although it was a decent showing individually.

Not so coincidentally, the Bulls won Butler’s 53-point and nine-assist games, and lost his underwhelming showings.

A four-point performance in a loss is tough to stomach, but it followed a 53-point eruption—a rare and special performance. Thus, Butler remains strong in the Player Power Rankings.

Butler’s having a career year, but Chicago needs him to consistently produce at a borderline elite level—and no, that doesn’t mean going Wilt Chamberlain and averaging 50 points per game—if it’s to become a championship contender.

Next: The Source of Everything