PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 21: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls gets introduced before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 21, 2014 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 21: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls gets introduced before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 21, 2014 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

 

Jimmy Butler created a lot of buzz this summer after inking in his $95 million deal. The reigning Most Improved Player of 2015 said he wants to play the point guard position. Butler went on to say he sees himself on the same level as Derick Rose as far as leadership goes. That’s all fair, but the former MVP and the current Most Improved Player have a battle for power. A lot of the feud have been refuted by both players and their teammates, but it’s times like this that makes you wonder if Derrick Rose is handling Jimmy Butler’s emergence with open arms.

“Butler’s major jump in the Top 100 rankings is unusual, but hardly an over-correction. His career year yielded his first All-Star selection, his second All-Defensive selection, 2015 NBA Most Improved Player, and a five-year $95 million contract in free agency. He performed at an elite level last season no matter how you slice it, ranking No. 6 league-wide in Win Shares, No. 16 in WARP, and in the top 25 in PER and Real Plus-Minus.” -Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney

Jimmy Butler jumped in rankings to 18th overall in the Sports Illustrated 2016 NBA Top 100 list this season. Just last season Butler was sitting at 80, which is no surprise why he won the Most Improved Award.

Derrick Rose on the other hand dropped down to 60th overall. Albeit, Rose missed two full seasons and a good chunk of last season with knee surgeries. However, Sports Illustrated wasn’t impressed enough with the former MVP as he averaged 17.7 points per game with 4.9 assists per game last season.

Three other Bulls made it on the SI NBA Top 100 list as well. Pau Gasol moved up nine spots to 40th overall in the NBA after making the Allstar team. Joakim Noah dropped down to 63rd after having a down season. Taj Gibson dropped down to 90th barely making the list after playing behind Pau Gasol.

A few notable names Jimmy Butler ranked higher than:

18. Jimmy Butler

19. Dwight Howard

21. Al Horford

22. Chris Bosh

23. Kyrie Irving

24. Damien Lillard

25. Serge Ibaka

26. Klay Thompson

27. Mike Conley

28. Dirk Nowitzski

29. Deandre Jordan

30. Dwyane Wade

 

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