1. Jimmy Butler (1)
Season stats: 36.8 MPG – 21.6 PPG – 5.4 RPG – 5.1 APG – 47.5% 3PT – 35.6% 3PT – 87.5% FT
Weekly stats: 35.8 MPG – 22.8 PPG – 5.8 RPG – 4.5 APG – 53.4% 3PT – 45.5% 3PT – 85.7% FT
What more can we say about our power rankings leader, Jimmy Butler?
The three-time (about to be four-time) All-Star was outstanding again this week, even if he did have his one rare down game against the Knicks — which, incidentally, was a game in which his Timberwolves still comfortably handled.
Butler shot a solid 50 percent from the field (6-of-12) in the game, but never really asserted his dominance in the game, allowing Towns to take overinstead. This kind of performance is a healthy sign for the Wolves who need to still be able to win games without Butler starring.
The Timberwolves leader still showed the heart and hustle that have endeared him so much to the Minnesota fans:
Jimmy Butler isn't giving up ANYTHING free, chases down Porzingis on a fast break and strips himup 12 with 40 secs left pic.twitter.com/cMr5rfPT3G
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) January 13, 2018
Excluding the New York game, Jimmy G. Buckets averaged 26 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and a whopping 3.6 steals per game over the three other games. And these aren’t gamble-steals, either, these are straight hounding-the-ball-handler steals.
Butler is the oil that keeps this Timberwolves engine running. His hard-nosed play is clearly rubbing off on Towns and Wiggins and his persona in the media and locker room has brought a breath of fresh air to a Minnesota team that has sorely lacked such a figure.
Butler is the biggest reason for the 29-17 record and the franchise turnaround, that’s all that needs to be said.
Next: Wolves Thoughts; Turning potential into production
Tune in next week to see how the power rankings play out after this week’s games!