NBA 2017-18: Top 10 wing defenders this Season

#3 Jimmy Butler - Minnesota Timberwolves

Unlike most other players on this list, Jimmy Butler does not have advanced stats backing up his case here. Until he went down with a torn meniscus in a close game against Houston this week, Butler was ranked 125th among qualified players in defensive rating at a league-average 105.3 points allowed per game.

That is until you realize that Butler put up this rating despite guarding the opponent's best player whenever he's on the floor for a Timberwolves team that is flat-out bad defensively, despite Tom Thibodeau's best efforts.

Butler has been a great defensive stopper right since he came into the league, but over the past 5 seasons, he has been elite. This is borne out by his record of 3 All-Defensive team selections during the relevant period.

Ask any GM in the league on who you would want guarding the opponent's best player, and most wouldn't think twice before saying Jimmy G Buckets. Players who can reduce LeBron James' efficiency don't come along every day.