Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 10. Jimmy Butler
We still don’t appreciate Jimmy Butler enough. There have been stray signs of physical deterioration, but the 32-year-old just keeps chugging along. The Heat are right back in the title hunt, and Butler looks as good as ever. His ability to adapt to the talent around him, affording Kyle Lowry room to impact the game on the perimeter, is part of what makes Butler such a special No. 1 option.
The lack of a 3-point shot is a noticeable hole still, but Butler checks every other box. He’s an elite finisher, perhaps the most clutch shooter in the game, and a truly elite facilitator. He stuffs the stat sheet every night, is a strong All-Defense candidate, and possesses the natural charm inherent in the NBA’s greatest players.
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 9. James Harden
James Harden struggled out of the gate and fell prey to COVID, but he’s starting to turn the ship around. When healthy and spry, Harden can still make a case for No. 1 on this list. In the annals of NBA history, very few players have matched Harden’s prolific combination of perimeter scoring and playmaking. In fact, there’s a good chance none have.
The Nets have slimmed down the scale of Harden’s offensive duties, but he can trade buckets with anyone on a good night. If his burst returns and he can start getting to the rim and drawing fouls at his customary rate, Harden will probably rise back up a few spots on this list.