Caron Butler
Butler with the Washington Wizards in 2007
Miami Heat
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1980-03-13) March 13, 1980
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeUConn (2000–2002)
NBA draft2002: 1st round, 10th overall pick
Selected by the Miami Heat
Playing career2002–2016
PositionSmall forward
Number4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 31
Coaching career2020–present
Career history
As player:
2002–2004Miami Heat
2004–2005Los Angeles Lakers
2005–2010Washington Wizards
2010–2011Dallas Mavericks
2011–2013Los Angeles Clippers
2013–2014Milwaukee Bucks
2014Oklahoma City Thunder
2014–2015Detroit Pistons
2015–2016Sacramento Kings
As coach:
2020–presentMiami Heat (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points12,430 (14.1 ppg)
Rebounds4,387 (5.0 rpg)
Assists2,007 (2.3 apg)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA U21 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2001 Saitama Team competition

James Caron Butler (born March 13, 1980) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During a 14-year career he played for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Butler is a two-time NBA All-Star and was the 2002 Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, while playing for the Connecticut Huskies.

Early life

Butler was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, where he suffered through a rough childhood; he was a drug dealer at age 12 and arrested 15 times before the age of 15.[1] Butler discovered his love for basketball while at a youth detention center.[1] Butler played in Amateur Athletic Union basketball in 1998 and 1999.[2] After a brief career at Racine Park High School,[3] he enrolled at Maine Central Institute where he was successful enough to receive a scholarship to attend the University of Connecticut to play for the Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team for coach Jim Calhoun for two years.

College career

At Connecticut, Butler lost 15 pounds (6.8 kg) off his frame and developed his perimeter game. As a freshman, Butler led the Huskies, only two years removed from a national championship, in both scoring and rebounding with 15.3 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game respectively.[4] The summer after his freshman season he started for the US team that took home gold in the 2001 FIBA World Championship for Young Men.[5]

Butler followed his spectacular freshman campaign with an even better sophomore season, averaging 20.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game, leading the Huskies to both regular season and tournament Big East titles, and was named Big East tournament MVP.[6] He was named co-Big East player of the year (along with Pittsburgh's Brandin Knight) and a second-team All-American.[7] Butler led the Huskies to the Elite 8 of the NCAA basketball tournament. Despite 32 points from Butler, the Huskies lost a close game to the eventual national champion Maryland Terrapins.[7] After the season ended, Butler declared for the NBA draft.

NBA career

Miami Heat (2002–2004)

Butler was a lottery pick in the 2002 NBA draft, selected with the 10th overall pick by the rebuilding Miami Heat. Miami would rely on Butler immediately despite being a rookie, and he would start in all 78 games he played in during the season, averaging 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and finished 8th in the league in steals with 1.8 per game. Despite Miami winning just 25 games and missing the playoffs, Butler proved to be a notable rookie, winning the rookie of the month awards four times during the season while also getting selected to play in the rookie challenge game at that year's All-Star weekend in Atlanta. By season's end, Butler would also be named to the first team on the NBA All-Rookie Team. Miami would again enter the draft lottery, and this time drafted Dwyane Wade before acquiring Lamar Odom from the Los Angeles Clippers.

In the 2003–2004 season, however, Butler struggled with injuries that hampered him throughout the season, and he would go on to start in just 56 of 68 games. His scoring average fell to 9.2 points game for the season, but Miami's balanced offense led by Wade, Odom and Eddie Jones propelled Miami into the playoffs. In the first round, the Heat faced the New Orleans Hornets and the two teams would battle in a grueling 7 games series in which the home team won every game. In game 7, Miami closed out the series with Butler scoring 23 points with 9 rebounds. The Heat advanced to the play the top seeded Indiana Pacers, who were heavily favored and won the first two games of the series before Miami responded with two home wins to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Butler scored 21 points with 10 rebounds in the fourth game, but the Pacers responded to win the series in 6 games. Following the season, Miami decided to change the roster and traded Butler, Odom and Brian Grant to the Los Angeles Lakers for superstar center Shaquille O'Neal.

Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2005)

The Lakers had been a title contender but were now in rebuilding mode, led by superstar guard Kobe Bryant. Butler started in all of his 77 games in the 2004–2005 season, averaging 15.5 points a game with a then career high field goal percentage of 44.5% percent. The Lakers struggled with injuries and a midseason coaching change however, and failed to make the playoffs. Once again, the offseason meant Butler would be shipped again, as the Lakers traded him and Chucky Atkins to the Washington Wizards for Kwame Brown and Laron Profit.

Washington Wizards (2005–2010)

Butler shooting a free throw in April 2009

Upon arriving in Washington, Butler signed a 5-year, $46 million deal with the team. He became part of Washington's new "Big 3", a trio made up of teammates Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. Butler was nicknamed "Tough Juice"[8] by coach Eddie Jordan for his aggressive and passionate play,[9] epitomized by Butler's 20 rebounds in the Game 6 loss of opening-round series against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On January 17, 2007, Butler converted his first game-winning basket, a dunk following a pass from DeShawn Stevenson with 2.2 seconds remaining against the Knicks to give the Wizards a 99–98 win.[10] Butler was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for January 15–21, 2007.[11] He would have his best season yet, posting career high averages in rebounds, assists, and points. He was also named as a reserve to the 2007 NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team, his first appearance.[12] However, he broke his hand late in the season attempting to block a shot and was forced to sit out during the playoffs along with the injured Gilbert Arenas as the Wizards were swept in their opening round rematch versus the Cavaliers.

Butler dunking the ball

Butler, who was sidelined with a hip injury, was selected as a reserve for the East in the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, Louisiana but was forced to sit out. Due to the injury, Butler missed 20 of the Wizards' last 35 games of the season. He returned to the lineup on March 13 (his 28th birthday), when the Wizards hosted the Cavaliers. He registered 19 points (8-for-18 field goals) and five rebounds in 41 minutes played in the Wizards' 101–99 win over the Cavs.[13]

Dallas Mavericks (2010–2011)

On February 13, 2010 Butler was traded to the Dallas Mavericks along with Brendan Haywood and Deshawn Stevenson for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross. The Mavericks qualified for the 2010 NBA Playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference, but were upset in six games by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

On January 4, 2011, Butler was ruled out for the rest of the 2010–11 season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured right patellar tendon.[14] The Mavericks went on to defeat the Miami Heat 4–2 in the 2011 NBA Finals to claim their first NBA championship.

Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2013)

On December 9, 2011, Butler signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. During his two seasons as a starter with the Clippers, he helped the team reach the playoffs twice.

Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2014)

On July 10, 2013, Butler was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside Eric Bledsoe in a three-way trade that had both Jared Dudley from the Suns and JJ Redick from the Milwaukee Bucks join the Clippers and two different second round picks being sent to the Bucks.[15] On August 29, 2013, the Suns traded Butler to the Milwaukee Bucks for Ish Smith and Viacheslav Kravtsov.[16] On November 22, Butler scored a game-leading 38 points, his largest single game total since 2009, during an overtime 115-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.[17]

On February 27, 2014, Butler was bought out of his contract by the Bucks,[18] and in 34 games, he averaged 11.0 points per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2014)

On March 1, 2014, Butler signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[19] Butler finished the season having played in 22 regular season games and 17 playoff games for the Thunder, as they qualified for the Western Conference Finals where they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs.

Detroit Pistons (2014–2015)

On July 15, 2014, Butler signed with the Detroit Pistons to a reported two-year, $9 million contract.[20][21]

On June 11, 2015, Butler was traded, along with Shawne Williams, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ersan İlyasova.[22] However, he was later waived by the Bucks on June 30, 2015.[23]

Sacramento Kings (2015–2016)

On July 23, 2015, Butler signed with the Sacramento Kings.[24] He received minimal minutes during the 2015–16 season and made just 17 appearances, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

On June 21, 2016, Butler exercised his player option with the Kings for the 2016–17 season.[25] However, he was later waived by the Kings on July 4, 2016, after he reached an agreement with the team to have his contract bought out.[26]

Butler's final NBA game was on April 11, 2016 in a 105 - 101 victory over the Phoenix Suns where he recorded 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

Retirement

Butler announced his retirement on February 6, 2018.[27]

Coaching career

On November 14, 2020, the Miami Heat announced that they had hired Butler as assistant coach.[28]

Other activities

In 2015, Butler released an autobiography entitled Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA.[29] In 2019 Mark Wahlberg signed on as the executive producer of Butler's biopic of the same name.[30]

In 2017, he participated within Global Mixed Gender Basketball (GMGB), which is the first professional basketball league to support unified play between men and women, by being a color commentator for games. He also owns a team in the newly developed league known as the Wisconsin Cheeseheads.

Also in 2017, Butler joined ESPN as full-time college basketball and NBA analyst.[31] In 2018 Butler joined FS1 as an NBA analyst.

Personal life

Caron Butler is a Christian. After Butler was sent to a juvenile institution, he began to change his life by reading Bible verses. Butler began taking his interest in basketball seriously when he looked out his window at a basketball court at Ethan Allen Juvenile Detention. Butler spoke of it saying, "God puts stuff in front of you for a reason." Butler also said, "God put his hands on my life. [God] said, 'I'm going to touch you so that you can touch others.'"[32]

Butler has a habit of chewing on straws, which he picked up back in AAU ball in 1998 or 1999.[2] His straws of choice are from McDonald's.[2] While playing for the Washington Wizards, he had an addiction to Mountain Dew. He said he drank about six 12 ounce sodas a day and would wake up in the middle of the night to have one.[33] In his autobiography entitled Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA, he states that teammates, namely Kobe Bryant,[8] have tried to curb his Mountain Dew addiction. Butler has stated that he still struggles with his addiction to this day.[34]

Butler attended a surprise birthday party for Anthony Fadel, a 16-year-old in the Washington, D.C. area when invited by the boy's family.[35] The party was held in May 2007, and the event was primarily reported by Internet blogs, since Wizards PR purposely did not cover the event to preserve the sincerity of Butler's gesture.[36]

After working at Burger King in his youth, Butler now owns six of the fast food restaurants across the United States.[37] He has taken Business Management classes at Duke University.[37]

Butler is the son of Mattie Claybrook Paden. His father left him when he was born to join the Marines. His mother married Melvin and he has younger brother Melvin III.[38][39]

Caron and Andrea Pink Butler met at UConn's pre college summer program. After their sophomore year they traveled to Las Vegas in 2005 and married. Butler has a daughter and son from a previous relationship.[40] With wife Andrea he has three other daughters.[41]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2002–03 Miami 787836.6.416.318.8245.12.71.8.415.4
2003–04 Miami 685629.9.380.238.7564.81.91.1.29.2
2004–05 L.A. Lakers 777735.7.445.304.8625.81.91.4.315.5
2005–06 Washington 755436.1.455.342.8706.22.51.7.217.6
2006–07 Washington 636339.3.463.250.8637.43.72.1.319.1
2007–08 Washington 585839.9.466.357.9016.74.92.2.320.3
2008–09 Washington 676738.6.453.310.8586.24.31.6.320.8
2009–10 Washington 474739.4.422.263.8776.72.31.4.316.9
2009–10 Dallas 272734.4.440.340.7605.41.81.8.315.2
2010–11† Dallas 292929.9.450.431.7734.11.61.0.315.0
2011–12 L.A. Clippers 636329.7.407.358.8133.71.2.8.112.0
2012–13 L.A. Clippers 787824.1.424.388.8332.91.0.7.110.4
2013–14 Milwaukee 341324.1.387.361.8394.61.6.7.311.0
2013–14 Oklahoma City 22027.2.409.441.8423.21.21.1.39.7
2014–15 Detroit 782120.8.407.379.9022.51.0.6.15.9
2015–16 Sacramento 17110.4.424.167.8331.30.6.5.13.7
Career 88173232.2.434.348.8475.02.31.3.214.1
All-Star 1016.0.143.000.0004.01.0.0.02.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2004 Miami 131339.3.386.182.8258.52.42.2.512.8
2006 Washington 6643.7.416.214.82810.52.72.0.718.5
2008 Washington 6641.0.460.238.8715.73.81.8.218.7
2010 Dallas 6633.7.434.304.9265.81.31.5.819.7
2012 L.A. Clippers 101026.8.359.258.7503.01.0.6.28.6
2013 L.A. Clippers 6622.7.478.2501.0002.7.0.3.38.5
2014 Oklahoma City 17223.8.333.368.8003.2.9.2.16.5
Career 644931.7.401.289.8405.31.61.1.311.8

References

  1. 1 2 "Overcoming the Odds". Oprah.com. September 9, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 On Caron Butler and Straws. Voices.washingtonpost.com (April 24, 2007). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  3. ↑ Lee, Michael (February 16, 2008). "The Great Escape". Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  4. ↑ Caron Butler Statistics. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved on August 5, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Third FIBA World Championship For Young Men – 2001. Saitama, Japan August 3–12, 2001". Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved February 7, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). usabasketball.com
  6. ↑ "2001-02 Big East Conference Season Summary". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Butler Selected by Miami With 10th Pick Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. www.UConnHuskies.com
  8. 1 2 Banged-up Wizards expect to have Butler back in lineup against Cavs. Sports.espn.go.com (March 12, 2008). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  9. ↑ 'Tough Juice' hits the spot. Washington Times (April 17, 2006). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  10. ↑ Butler's dunk in final seconds lifts Wizards past Knicks. Sports.espn.go.com (January 17, 2007). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  11. ↑ Butler, Nash Named NBA Players of the Week. NBA.com (January 22, 2007). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  12. ↑ "2007 All-Star Reserves Announced" Archived September 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, February 2, 2007.
  13. ↑ Butler returns as Wizards dodge Cavs, get back to .500. Sports.espn.go.com (March 13, 2008). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  14. ↑ "Caron Butler out for season « NBA.com - Hang Time Blog". Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  15. ↑ Petersen, Matt (July 10, 2013). "Suns Complete Deal for Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  16. ↑ Suns Trade for Kravtsov, Smith From Bucks. Nba.com (August 29, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-30.
  17. ↑ Failure to finish dooms Bucks to seventh straight loss
  18. ↑ "Bucks Request Waivers on Caron Butler". Milwaukee Bucks.
  19. ↑ "Thunder Signs Caron Butler". Oklahoma City Thunder.
  20. ↑ "Detroit Pistons Sign Free Agent Forward Caron Butler". Detroit Pistons.
  21. ↑ "Caron Butler Expected To Sign Two-Year, $9M Deal With Pistons". basketball.realgm.com.
  22. ↑ "BUCKS ACQUIRE FORWARDS CARON BUTLER AND SHAWNE WILLIAMS FROM PISTONS". NBA.com. June 11, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  23. ↑ Bucks waive Caron Butler and Shawne Williams
  24. ↑ "Kings Sign Caron Butler". NBA.com. July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  25. ↑ "NBA Rumor Central: Caron Butler exercises 2016-17 player option". ESPN. June 21, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  26. ↑ Woelfel, Gery (July 4, 2016). "Caron Butler becomes free agent". JournalTimes.com. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  27. ↑ Butler, Caron (February 6, 2018). "Sixteen Years, Nine Teams, One Love". The Players' Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  28. ↑ "HEAT Hire Caron Butler As Assistant Coach". NBA.com. November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  29. ↑ Steinberg, Dan (October 7, 2015). "'I play with guns': Caron Butler's inside account of the Gilbert Arenas gun incident". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  30. ↑ Fischer, Jake (April 8, 2019). "How Retired NBA Players Are Escaping Post-Career Financial Troubles". Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  31. ↑ Caron Butler among those added to ESPN coverage - Hartford Courant, October 17, 2017
  32. ↑ "Where Transformation Can Lead". March 9, 2008.
  33. ↑ More on Caron Butler's extreme Mountain Dew addiction – Ball Don't Lie – NBA Blog – Yahoo! Sports. Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved on August 30, 2013.
  34. ↑ "NBA veteran Caron Butler has a serious addiction to Mountain Dew". September 28, 2015.
  35. ↑ "A Caron Butler Surprise". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008.
  36. ↑ ESPN – Caron Butler in the Basement – TrueHoop Archived May 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Myespn.go.com. Retrieved on August 30, 2013.
  37. 1 2 Helin, Kurt (July 21, 2010). "Caron Butler used to work at a Burger King, now owns six". nbcsports.com.
  38. ↑ hitmanrko4. "Who Made You - Caron Butler" – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ↑ "WIZARDS: Player Profile: Caron Butler". NBA.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Dallas Mavericks' Caron Butler overcomes troubled past". SportsDay. April 18, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Making It Work: My Life As A Basketball Wife". Essence. October 28, 2020.
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