Soaring Down South
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Position Rankings: Top 10 Shooting Guards in the NBA

By Collin Huguley

May 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) gives chase during the first quarter in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) gives chase during the first quarter in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) guards Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) guards Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jimmy Butler

Age: 26

2015-2016 Season Averages: 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals

Shooting Percentages: .454/.312/.832

Even though the new construction of the Bulls’ roster is odd, it doesn’t take away the fact that Jimmy Butler is a top-tier NBA shooting guard.

In Fred Hoiberg‘s pace-and-space system, there aren’t many wings that can fit the play-maker role on offense better than Butler. While Butler isn’t a great shooter (which is what that system needs around him), he is so smooth with the ball that it doesn’t really matter for his personal success. 

Butler is so dangerous offensively in a similar way that DeRozan is. He attacks the rim very well and is an even better mid-range shooter than DeRozan. He is also a better passer and ball-handler than DeRozan. In Hoiberg’s system, he has a wing in Butler than can serve as a point guard with enough shooters around him. The Bulls don’t have that in the starting lineup but Butler will still be able to create for him self and others. Whether it be in pick-and-roll, transition, or running plays in the half court, Butler be the centerpiece of Chicago’s offense for years to come.

Butler is also one of the best defenders in the NBA. That’s what first earned him minutes with Tom Thibodeau and he is lock down on the wing on that end of the floor. Night in and night out, Butler will be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player and he will give them all headaches. Butler’s defense will be great for a long time and it is something that should be appreciated.

It says a lot about Butler’s talent when you see him put up great offensive numbers while also guarding other stars for an entire game. Many stars relax on defense to save their energy for offensive purposes, but not Butler. He is an elite two-way player and a perennial All-Star at this stage of his career.

Next: No. 2: The Beard

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