Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 21
Next
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Last Rank: N/A

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .454/.305/.827

Season Averages: 37.1 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 3PM

Prior to his missing 15 of a possible 17 games due to injury, Jimmy Butler was slotted at No. 7 in the NBA Player Power Rankings. After an extensive absence from the list, Butler has worked his way back into the Top 20 with a string of huge performances.

Whether or not the Chicago Bulls make the playoffs, it’s become abundantly clear that Butler is a genuine NBA star.

Thus far in 2015-16, the Bulls are 34-29 when Butler is active and 5-10 when he’s absent. The former is good for a win percentage of .540, which translates to 44 wins—a number that may have been enough for Chicago to reach the postseason.

Instead, the Bulls are 2.5 games back of the No. 8 seed with just four outings remaining on the schedule.

This past week, Butler did everything he could to help Chicago stave off elimination. He posted 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists during a 103-100 victory against the Houston Rockets, and had 25 points and eight assists on 10-of-11 shooting in a 102-98 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Butler’s showing against the Memphis Grizzlies was poor, but he tallied 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks during a start at point guard against the Detroit Pistons.

It’s safe to say Butler is back.

Next: Fighting Through Struggles