Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: There’s A New No. 1 Player

By Maxwell Ogden

November 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (left) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (left) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 27 (9/14/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .480/.423/.890
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.5 MPG, 25.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.5 3PM

The Chicago Bulls have entirely moved on from the Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose era and committed to Jimmy Butler. At 27 years of age, Butler is entering his prime and looking the part of an NBA superstar.

Chicago is off to a 9-6 start and Butler has been one of the best all-around players in the NFL through 15 games.

Butler opened this past week with a dud, recording 22 points on 5-of-18 shooting against the Los Angeles Clippers. He bounced back in an extraordinary way, however, with two of the best performances of his NBA career.

That all began with Butler going off for 40 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal on 14-of-23 shooting during a 118-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

One game later, in the Bulls’ fifth consecutive road game and seventh in eight games, Butler went off against the Denver Nuggets. He recorded 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks on marks of 11-of-20 from the field, 2-of-4 from distance, and 11-of-12 at the free throw line.

If you didn’t know it before, you should be aware of it now: Butler is benefiting greatly from the presence of Dwyane Wade.