Caron Butler is Really Under the Radar

[Baseline Runner]

This guy is really, really good and no one seems to notice. He averages 22 pts a game on great shooting (49 FG& and 89 FT%), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Stats are only half the story. He can score all over the court in great efficiency keeping defenses off guard. He plays outstanding defense and should be first team all defense consideration this year. He is a great hustly player and plays with relentless energy. He's one of the clutchest players in the league. He is an outstanding player all around.

When the Cavs played Washington in a nail-biting playoff series a couple of years back it was Caron that was giving us the most problems. Yes Arenas' long range bombs and 30 point games hurt but Caron was doing everything on both sides of the floor and every time he came up with a crucial basket, defensive stop or hustle play when his team needed it most. It was always Caron keeping Washington in the game and in the series. Likewise this year it is Caron keeping Washington a respectable playoff contending team.

[Wizards2Lottery]

Caron elevating his game has made the Wiz a legit contender from the East this year.

We're without our best player and finisher yet we are only two games behind Orlando for the division lead.

If we get Arenas 100% healthy by the playoffs, Boston and Detroit better watch out.

[XTC]

Said it before. He's like a mini prime Grant Hill out there.

[KBtechnique]

For Washington's sake I hope Arenas does not return. The chemistry is a major problem with Arenas holding up the offense. I wouldn't be suprised to see him traded after this season, especially if the Wizards go far in the playoffs.

[NetsForce]

If anything Caron is getting overrated now.

[Wizards2Lottery]

For Washington's sake I hope Arenas does not return. The chemistry is a major problem with Arenas holding up the offense. I wouldn't be suprised to see him traded after this season, especially if the Wizards go far in the playoffs.

Washington improving has more to do with the fact that our defensive has improved by a mile and our bench doesn't stink anymore.

For Washingtons sake, you should hope Arenas comes back fully healthy because with him we will be a top 3 team in the East.

[MalReyn]

What really hasn't been noticed much is year is the way he's dramatically improved his 3-point shot. Heads and shoulders above where it once was. His FT shooting is at a career high right now as well.

He certainly deserves to be an All-Star this year. Considering his salary, one of the best bargains in the NBA.

I'm not sure he's very underrated though. People (at least on this board) seem to think very highly of him.

[AxnJxn00]

He definitely isn't going under the radar to fantasy owners. Chris Paul has been by far the best fantasy player this year, but neck and neck for the second spot has been LBJ, Kobe and ...Caron Butler.

[miller31time]

-= original quote snipped =-



Washington improving has more to do with the fact that our defensive has improved by a mile and our bench doesn't stink anymore.

For Washingtons sake, you should hope Arenas comes back fully healthy because with him we will be a top 3 team in the East.

Right on the money. Washing currently ranks 16th in defensive efficiency (from 28th last year). The difference hasn't been the absence of Gilbert. It has been the addition of Defensive specialist coach Randy Ayers, more PT from our best defender Haywood and a larger role for Andray Blatche.

[KBtechnique]

Well I think Arenas is a major cancer, he shoots on impulse which is always a negative factor for any offense, and particularly bad for a PG. So I'm hoping for Washington's sake that Arenas doesn't return this season. I know you'd like to believe Butler's success is all part of his radical self-improvement, but I know the absence of Arenas has a lot to do with it.

[Wizards2Lottery]

Well I think Arenas is a major cancer, he shoots on impulse which is always a negative factor for any offense, and particularly bad for a PG. So I'm hoping for Washington's sake that Arenas doesn't return this season. I know you'd like to believe Butler's success is all part of his radical self-improvement, but I know the absence of Arenas has a lot to do with it.

The problem is that stats don't support that theory. Just until last year we were the worst team in the NBA with Arenas of the court. We were also the most efficient offense in the East last year with Arenas.

Everything so far indicates that we will only get better on offense and DEFENSE once Arenas returns.

[KBtechnique]

I don't agree with the stat of how a team does when a player is off the court. See, an all-star is not off the court for long in any game, so if they are off the court for 8 minutes per game those minutes are only 8 minutes of proof per game. Thats a lot of very minor evidence bunched together creating a misleading overall stat for the season. Some of those 8 minute sequences could be junktime when the game is already decided for example, or just random streaks when the opposition catches fire which has nothing to do with who was on the floor for Washington at that time. Most importantly, its not important how poorly Washington played when Arenas was OFF the court, its more about how poorly they played when Arenas was ON the court. The fact is they were never great with him ON the court, they were just better than when he was OFF the court. I'm looking at Washington now and I'm seeing their offense flows better without Arenas because the ball-movement is better and better shooters are taking majority of the shots (better shooters than Arenas).

[Wizards2Lottery]

We'll have to wait and see. Arenas has never had a supporting cast as good as this before.

This year we have a lot of young guys stepping up like Andray Blatche, Nick Young and Roger Mason. DeShawn Stevenson and Caron Butler have taken there game to a whole new level. Antawn Jamison is having one of his best seasons ever.

My only concern is how Arenas fits into the new style Wiz. An unselfish team with very good depth. He will most certainly have to take a diminished role and I think he will.

We really miss his godly offensive talents. There are often moments in games where we really have to work hard for buckets. This is where a player like Arenas will help us.

[nate33]

KBtechnique, are you a Wizards' fan? Do you watch a majority of the games? If you don't, then I suggest you listen to those who do.

Last year, prior to Arenas' injury, the Wizards had the 3rd most efficient offense in the league. Clearly, Arenas didn't hurt the offense. He was the 3rd most efficient volume scorer in the league behind only Nash and Nowitzki. Offensively, the Wizards were downright scary.

Unfortunately, they also sported the league's 28th-ranked defense.

This offseason, the Wizards hired Randy Ayers as a defensive coach and Ayers has instituted a much better defensive scheme. They also now play Brendan Haywood considerably more. Haywood is a top 5 defensive center yet Eddie Jordan inexplicably refused to play him last year. Also, Jamison has significantly improved his defensive game and his boardwork. Finally, Deshawn Stevenson is emerging as a legit perimeter stopper, not just a mildly above-average defender.

The Wizards defense has improved from 28th to 16th. The offense has fallen from 3rd to 10th.

When Arenas returns, the offense will pick up, and the defense will likely improve as well. Arenas was playing real good D in the first 8 games before his injury - much better than Daniels. All he has to do is maintain that same defensive intensity, even if his offense suffers a bit. Butler, Jamison and friends have demonstrated that they can handle a greater offensive load.

[ChampionRed]

I am really starting to like Caron Butler. The guy is really stepping up and making his shots and just finding ways to score. He's playing solid defense too and is active every second he is on the court.

[The_Believer]

The abscence of Gil this year reminds me of 03-04 (I thinnk) when CWebb missed like the first half the year. It allowed some Peja to get really better, just like how Caron is becoming a great player before our eyes. Likewise, the return of Arenas could have some harm on the chemistry, sorta how people said that Cwebb coming back could hurt the Kings' chemistry.

[miller31time]

I don't think Gilbert is going to come back and in the first game, the team will be clicking and running on all cylinders. It takes time to incorporate a player of his skill level back into antly offense. But the point is that in the long run, we'll be a much better team for it.

[HarlemHeat37]

if Arenas takes a diminished role, then the Wizards will definitely be a team to watch out for..the only concern I would have is the money though..isn't Gil going for the big money in the off-season? will he accept a diminished role?..

I'm starting to like Butler a lot..he's developped a nice all-around game, and is looking like a solid leader out there from the Wiz games I've seen..

[YiYaoYue]

I don't think Gilbert is going to come back and in the first game, the team will be clicking and running on all cylinders. It takes time to incorporate a player of his skill level back into antly offense. But the point is that in the long run, we'll be a much better team for it.

yea i agree that gilbert should be coming off the bench and let the current starters play the way they have... arenas as a six man will make the wizards so deep and it wont hurt too much that arenas is taking shots when butler and jamison are on the bench since he is the best scorer with the bench.

[Malinhion]

He slipped in the draft and has been one of the most underrated guys in the league ever since. He finally got some recognition with an all-star selection last year but the national perception has a way to go still to catch up with reality.