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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-22 season: 20-11

By Corey Rausch

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 15. Jimmy Butler

Previous Rank: 12

Expecting Jimmy Butler to play at the same level for the Miami Heat last season after making it to the NBA Finals was always foolish. Just this past week marked the one-year anniversary of his epic NBA Finals performance and that is two seasons ago at this point. After giving everything to the team to try to win the title in the bubble, last season was always going to be a slight step back.

Only 10 weeks after performing at the highest stage of competition, being photographed slumped over a chair, Butler was not himself for much of the early season. By the end of the season, however, his counting stats had surpassed those of his first year with the Heat. Butler averaged 21.5 points, 7.1 assists (career-high), 6.9 rebounds (career-high) and 2.1 steals (league-leading) per game. If there was any doubt before, Butler has fully integrated himself within Heat Culture. This season, he has the perfect running mate.

Butler and Kyle Lowry fit perfectly from an attitude and work ethic standpoint. Butler has never had a running mate who fit him this well, and that does not acknowledge the third All-Star on the team in Bam Adebayo. With a full summer to rest and recover, Butler should come back as an assassin.