NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?

Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 112-104 at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard finished the game with 34 points. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eastern Conference guard Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls (21) is interviewed during media day for the 2016 NBA All Star Game at Sheraton Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: No. 11

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .458/.331/.827

Season Averages: 37.9 MPG, 22.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler is injured, and the team is suffering because of it. That’s not good news for the fans, but it’s a telling sign of how far Butler has come since being selected with the final pick of the first round at the 2011 NBA Draft.

Before he went down with a sprained left knee, Butler was playing at a Top 10 level.

Butler’s averages are evidence enough of how well he’s played this season. He’s efficiently exceeding 20 points per game, developing as a facilitator, and further solidifying his place as one of the most feared perimeter defenders in the NBA.

Career-best averages in points and assists per game are promising for anyone, but for a player who was already an All-Star, they’re beyond intriguing.

Since Butler’s injury, Chicago is 3-4. It lost four consecutive games without him, and while its recent three-game winning streak is encouraging, one of those wins was over the lowly Los Angeles Lakers—not a slight, just perspective.

From NBA fans everywhere, get well soon, Jimmy Butler.

Next: The Resurgent Star