Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: Superstars Keep Making History

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) gets control of the ball against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) gets control of the ball against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Position: Small Forward
Age: 27 (9/14/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .450/.348/.861
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.9 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.2 3PM

At some point in the near future, the Chicago Bulls will need to make a final decision on the direction of the organization. Whether fair or foul, there appears to be no chance for Jimmy Butler and the front office to coexist in a healthy environment.

Though one should never hope to see an individual lose their job, it’s hard to place the blame for the current mess on anyone but the front office.

Butler is playing at a superstar-caliber level from an individual perspective, but his support continues to falter. An example of such is that Chicago recently lost a game to the Philadelphia 76ers, during which Butler had 36 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.

It also comes as no surprise that an offseason that seemed to be dedicated to landing playmakers who can’t shoot has resulted in Chicago ranking 27th in 3-point field goal percentage.

Butler is averaging career-best numbers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and 3-point field goals made per game. He’s done so while maintaining a respectable level of efficiency and continuing to perform at a high level defensively.

Some of the blame falls on Butler for not being able to get Chicago to the playoffs, but he proved how strong he’s been by leading the Bulls to an upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers.