Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Kevin Durant Surpassing LeBron?

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: No. 9

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .455/.331/.829

Season Averages: 38.3 MPG, 22.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.1 3PM

The Chicago Bulls have consistently needed someone to step up, and shooting guard Jimmy Butler has consistently answered the call. Whether the team wins or loses, Butler has remained productive offensively and aggressive defensively.

Over the past month or so, he’s even stepped up as a facilitator—something that’s been vital to the Bulls’ success.

Butler recorded 10 assists in three different January games, and Chicago won every one of them. That includes this past Thursday, when Butler tallied 26 points and 10 dimes on 11-of-17 shooting during a 114-91 blowout of the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s a very small sample size, but Chicago is 5-0 this season when Butler dishes out at least eight assists.

Since January 1, Butler is averaging 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .467/.352/.832. That’s a stunning development, but it comes with the caveat that Chicago is 8-8 during his 16 appearances since that date.

Butler’s individual ranking doesn’t suffer, but it’s a concerning sign that the Bulls have fallen so far that Butler’s best has only been enough to keep them afloat.

Next: The Enigma