NBA Player Power Rankings: The Marathon For MVP Begins

Nov 9, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket while guarded by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. The rockets won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) controls the ball under the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Position: Small Forward
Age: 27 (9/14/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .462/.441/.873
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.6 MPG, 22.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.7 3PM

The Chicago Bulls have been consistently inconsistent during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Chicago won its first three games, lost the next three, and went win, loss, win en route to the current 5-4 record.

What the Bulls can be confident in is that starting small forward Jimmy Butler will step up and continue to progress as a star-caliber player.

Butler flashed his upside by dropping 39 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. He also added seven rebounds, four assists, and six steals in what was a beautiful display of his all-around ability.

The 27-year-old has the perfect mentor in fellow Marquette alum and future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, and there are early signs of the benefits.

Butler certainly hasn’t been flawless, but he’s maintained a steady level of play and production. That 39-point eruption against the Atlanta Hawks was enough to justify his inclusion in the Top 20 in the first player power rankings of 2016-17.

Butler and the Bulls are still a work in progress, but he’s played at a Top 20 level early in the 2016-17 regular season.