Some interesting comments in Lee's latest article:
Michael Lee wrote:I've already written about Butler's struggles to get on the same page with Gilbert Arenas, who has the ball the majority of the time on offense and appears to be focused on scoring and getting assists, not necessarily running the whole team. Since Butler gets a lot of his scoring off the dribble, that limits Arenas's assists totals -- especially since Butler is shooting just 39.3 percent from the floor. But there appear to be times when Arenas looks off Butler. In turn, Butler sometimes forces the action when he touches the ball.
I wonder how much of this is speculation and how much is from private conversations with the players? There does seem to be an unhealthy focus on individual assist stats. Could Arenas really be looking off Butler just because he's concerned that Butler won't shoot quick enough for it to register as an assist?
Michael Lee wrote:"They put us in situations to be in [isolations] and capitalize on an opportunity, so there's no such things as hockey assists in this game," Butler said. "So I'm not going to get an assist for that: A play that led from my double-team that led to the swing-pass that led to the open jumper. I won't get credit for that, but the basketball minds know. So I'm just going to continue to go out there and do whatever I can to help this team get better, because that's all I know how to do."
It's also a bit disconcerting that Butler doesn't seem to even acknowledge that he isn't passing this year. The "hockey assist theory" doesn't explain 0.6 assists per game.
Michael Lee wrote:"I've been in one system for four or five years, and now I'm getting adjusted and more accustomed to another system," Butler said. "Once I realize what I can do in the spots that I'm in and having our guys whole and seeing what situation's what, 20 games in, we'll revisit this and see where it's at."
I like the sound of this much better. He at least realizes that there are some mental adjustments that he hasn't yet made.
Michael Lee wrote:Butler is averaging just 16.9 points, his lowest scoring average since coming to Washington, but he also is doing other things, such as rebounding. His 7.9 boards are the most since his arrival, and he did an excellent job of taking Quentin Richardson out of the game on Tuesday in Miami, where he pitched a complete-game shutout.
Another good point. Butler may not be playing well offensively, but some on this board have confused that with a lack of effort. In reality, Butler seems to be excelling at the aspects of the game most dependent on effort: rebounding and defense. There's still a little "Tough Juice" left in him.
