NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20
13. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Position: Small Forward
Age: 27 (9/14/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .459/.354/.874
201-17 Season Averages: 36.8 MPG, 24.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.3 3PM
The Chicago Bulls may have trouble in paradise, but Jimmy Butler continues to perform at a legitimately elite level. He’s well on his way to a career year and has solidified his place as one of the best in the NBA.
With five 40-point games and a positive impact on both ends of the floor, Butler is deserving of being one of the league’s elite.
Butler had a quality week that ended on a high note from an individual perspective. He posted 23 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in a 102-99 win over the Sacramento Kings, and had 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals in a victory over the Orlando Magic.
Butler finished the week with his fifth 40-point game, during which he added three steals and shot 13-of-22 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Now a three-time All-Star, Butler has validated his star status by maintaining it for a respectable period of time. Unfortunately, the Chicago Bulls are a game below .500 and enduring chemistry issues.
Butler ranks No. 3 in the NBA in Real Plus-Minus, but until his team starts winning with more regularity, that number will only mean so much.