NBA MVP Ladder Week 4: DeMar DeRozan makes his unexpected debut

Week 4 NBA MVP Ladder: 5. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Last Week: 2nd

Stats: 24.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 62.9 true-shooting percentage

The Miami Heat got off to a blazing hot start before a shaky stretch saw them drop four of five games against a quintet of playoff teams. They have righted the ship since, going 3-0 over the past week, and staying in the mix at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Butler has been the driving force behind that success – not the sole success, though, as Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro have been key to the offense, and Bam Adebayo and PJ Tucker have been stout defensively – but he has been vital on both ends.

He is shooting efficiently from inside the arc, has shot just enough from outside to keep defenders honest, and is excellent at the free-throw line. Even at age 32, he is second in the league at 8.8 free-throw attempts per game.

Butler’s activity on the perimeter defensively has also been key for a team that needs the offensive juice of a handful of poor defenders in Duncan Robinson, Herro, and Max Strus. He is an elite help defender, with quick hands on the perimeter and the strength to switch onto all five positions as needed.

Just missed the cut: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Paul George, LA Clippers; Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Giannis Antetokounmpo finally has his co-stars back, and as the Bucks rise back up the standings, his dominant numbers will lift him back onto the NBA MVP ladder. 4-5-6 on the ladder this week were all incredibly close, and it would not be surprising to see the two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP push his way towards the top.