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NBA Player Power Rankings: Mid-March MVP Rankings

By Maxwell Ogden

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Troy Daniels (30) defends Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. The Grizzlies won 98-91. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Troy Daniels (30) defends Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. The Grizzlies won 98-91. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Position: Small Forward
Age: 27 (9/14/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .439/335/.870
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.7 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.2 3PM

The Chicago Bulls have received disastrous news: Dwyane Wade will miss the rest of the 2016-17 NBA regular season with an elbow injury. In turn, the pressure has mounted and Jimmy Butler will need to prove that he can handle the burden.

This past week didn’t paint the most optimistic of pictures, but Butler deserves a Top 20 ranking and the benefit of the doubt.

Butler began this past week by recording 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting during a 115-94 loss to the Houston Rockets. Butler followed with five points on 2-of-11 shooting against the Boston Celtics, and had 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Snuck in between those underwhelming performances was Butler putting up 23 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals during a 115-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Butler is having a career year from a statistical perspective, but Chicago still can’t win on a consistent basis. That’s holding him back from being a mainstay in the Top 10, although he’s been in and out of it throughout the 2016-17 season.

In a weak Eastern Conference, the Bulls should have an easier time than they have competing for a postseason appearance. Some of that is on Butler, even if most of the blame goes to the front office and coaching staff.