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)

 

When you talk about steals in the draft, it’s almost impossible to leave Jimmy Butler’s name out of the conversation. Butler was selected 30th overall in the 2011 NBA draft. At the time, the Bulls didn’t know they’d be drafting a future maximum contract player, but four seasons later Butler is poised to take on the ‘Top Dog’ role with Derrick Rose.

The list of steals and busts is long for the 2011 NBA draft class. For starters, Derrick Williams never panned out to be anything more than an average role player despite being selected second overall. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s Klay Thompson who was selected 11th overall but is now an Allstar and NBA champion. Kyrie Irving is another player who lived up to his hype as he came out of college playing only 11 games for Duke.

There’s only three Allstars from the 2011 NBA draft class. Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler. Sure, there are other good players in the draft class, but they were never selected to make the Allstar team. Between Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler the debate can get heated, but most would take Jimmy Butler because of his two-way presence unlike Klay Thompson.

Sports Illustrated came out with their Top 100 NBA players list earlier this month. With no surprise, Jimmy Butler was ranked with the NBA elites. Butler was ranked over Klay Thompson, Dwight Howard, Damien Lillard, and Kyrie Irving as Butler was given the 18th spot on the list. With his ability to play on both ends of the court, Butler could be considered as the top pick in the re-draft of 2011 according to Sports Illustrated’s list. However, Kyrie Irving gets the nod over Butler because he’s been doing what he’s doing for years now, not just one season. However, Butler’s one season warranted him to win the Most Improved Player award, and his new coach believes Butler’s role will expand even more.

2011 NBA Re-Draft Order:

  1. Kyrie Irving (actual #1)
  2. Jimmy Butler (actual #30)
  3. Kawhi Leonard (actual #15)
  4. Klay Thompson (actual #11)
  5. Kemba Walker (actual #9)
  6. Nikola Mirotic (actual #23)
  7. Enes Kanter (actual #3)
  8. Tristan Thompson (actual #4)

 

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