Butler Serves Up Solid Support

With names like Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic and David West on the roster it takes a lot for anybody else to stand out. Not that it isn’t the way it’s supposed to be in a league rife with superstar talent, or at least that which is sold as such. In New Orleans however, there is a little constant that has been a solid part of their emergence as a Western Conference powerhouse over the past few seasons. No doubt Paul has been by far the main reason why most observers expect the Hornets to be in the thick of the race for West side supremacy, but even he is just a part, and every man must play his own.

 

“I really wanted to concentrate on defense,” says sixth-year guard Rasual Butler during a chat with SWAY Sports. “That’s what I’ve been doing a lot lately… trying to become a more all-around complete player.”

 

Butler, an unassuming 6-7 guard out of Texas-LaSalle, is entering his fourth season with the Hornets organization. Since being acquired from the Miami Heat in a mega 13-player trade during the summer of 2005, Butler has had his ups and downs, not unlike his adopted city of N’awlins. And with the myriad of transactions that has gone into surrounding Paul with the talent to go next level, Butler has remained to emerge as a dependable role player on a team often criticized for its lack of depth. So has ‘Sual (as odd an abbreviation ever seen in sport) become the forgotten man to those who oppose?

 

“I’m just here to help us win games,” says Butler of the recognition factor. “That stuff comes along with winning. I don’t play the game for that purpose. I play the game because I like to compete and I like to win… this is my blessing to play the game. If it (recognition) comes it comes but if it doesn’t, I know the guys in this locker room respect me.”

 

Butler’s career numbers are as unassuming as the humble baller. 7.7 points, 2.5 rebounds over 393 games are not write-home-to-mommy statistics but more often than not they have been numbers produced on winning teams. Two seasons ago he logged career-highs in points (10.1) and rebounds (3.2) but followed it up with a forgettable 2007-08 season when he posted career-lows across the board - including playing just 17 minutes per night in only 51 games – as he struggled to nail down a spot in head coach Byron Scott’s system. With staple Morris Peterson hobbled by injury Butler has been given another chance to fit in this season. His capabilities on the defensive end are starting to shine through and he is on pace for a career-year in points, rebounds and minutes per game. During an early December Sunday afternoon in Toronto, Butler dropped 16 points and four rebounds in a 99-91 win over the Raptors.

 

“He was just finding angles,” said power forward David West of Butler’s performance that night. “Avenues for CP to make the right pass.

 

“We have confidence in our guys to be able to make shots in critical situations and he was able to do that.”

 

Still, it was his defense that helped turn the ball and grant the Hornets chances to reply to several Raptor runs in the second half. In fact, using his length and quickness has become a strict addition to his arsenal, more consistently applied and better defined. Tips, blocks and altered paths of destination are subtle with Butler, but just as effective as the more highlight reel worthy incarnations of D.

 

Butler’s ability, and willingness (not as common a trait as one might think in the NBA), to stay ready for extended minutes has not been lost on his coaches or teammates. Though his first few years in the league were marked with inconsistent play the Philadelphia native has chiseled himself into a valuable asset as a versatile option on both sides of the ball.

 

He is one of the guys that helped the Bugs recover from early season struggles that had the media masses wondering if the club could duplicate the phenomenal success of a 56-win 07/08 season, this time with a target on their back. The acquisition of James Posey threatened to eat into Butler’s burn but he has shown his worth. Now the Hornets seem to have hit enough of a stride to put them back among the elite of the Western Conference. The media cry has been quelled for now.

 

“It took us a little while,” says Butler of his squad’s disappointing start to the campaign. “We’re working hard every day in practice and during the games - taking things we learn into the next night so we can be a little more successful.”

 

The expectations of Butler are not unlike those pointed towards the Hornets as a whole. Is this the year they can finally put it all together? Butler’s smile answers the question before it is asked, a refined confidence lurking behind every tooth. To answer the question they’ll need more where that comes from.