Dirk gives a slight hint to Butler

[crucifixx]

When Caron mixes up his game, it makes all the difference," he said. "We all know I'm a jump shooter and if we both fall into the trap of shooting jumpers all the time, that's not good.

"When he mixes in the drive and creates with the ball, that's going to make us really tough to guard. I think that's when we're at our best, when both of us are doing a little bit of everything on the offensive end."

What Dirk really means is "Caron, quit **** chucking and bricking 18 footers and start driving to the hoop!!!! There's a quota for jumpshots in this team and I fill em all!!!! We ain't gonna win if all you're trying to do is imitate me!!!"

All jokes aside I think Dirk speaks the truth. Butler is so much better when he's driving the ball. I saw a glimpse of that in the Chicago game.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/16 ... z12bYlYl9F

[SlobbaN]

I think our 4 7-footers should beat the living crap out of Caron so he's out for 2-3 months. Then he'll have time to think what he's doing wrong and we might see a slasher Butler.

[2011Champs]

I don't think Butler got his nickname "Tuff Juice" by chucking outside shots.
Dirk shouldn't even have to tell Butler this. WTF is the head coach doing in this matter?
The coach should demand that Butler drive to the basket. If Butler only chucks up jumpshots than bench him.

[HMFFL]

Staying healthy has always been an issue for Caron. I expect him to be more hesitant this season when driving inside, because he is a expiring contract, and staying healthy will be a priority if he wants to max out his earnings when he signs his next contract. What is frustrating about his game for me is that he's not a pure shooter, so Dirk is right, and needs to continue to speak up (behind closed doors) if he feels Caron is holding back.

I can only assume Rick Carlisle will be demanding for Caron Butler to drive inside, but Caron is a grow man, and will do what he pleases. It's not like this is College ball, so NBA players tend to be harder to coach, and it's not we're going to bench possibly our second best player. Man, that makes me sick just saying Caron is possibly our second best player.

When Dominique Jones is on the court we need to use him to drive inside and to draw contact. I have a feeling Rick won't use him this way. It brings out the best in Dominique's game because he was excellent at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line during college.

[Darren]

Staying healthy has always been an issue for Caron. I expect him to be more hesitant this season when driving inside, because he is a expiring contract, and staying healthy will be a priority if he wants to max out his earnings when he signs his next contract. What is frustrating about his game for me is that he's not a pure shooter, so Dirk is right, and needs to continue to speak up (behind closed doors) if he feels Caron is holding back.

I can only assume Rick Carlisle will be demanding for Caron Butler to drive inside, but Caron is a grow man, and will do what he pleases. It's not like this is College ball, so NBA players tend to be harder to coach, and it's not we're going to bench possibly our second best player. Man, that makes me sick just saying Caron is possibly our second best player.

When Dominique Jones is on the court we need to use him to drive inside and to draw contact. I have a feeling Rick won't use him this way. It brings out the best in Dominique's game because he was excellent at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line during college.

Surprising, Jet is the second best player during the preseason game in terms of efficiency.

[JES12]

Surprising, Jet is the second best player during the preseason game in terms of efficiency.

The less important the game, the more he shines. I bet he could be Michael Jordan in the Summer League.

[Johnny Firpo]

Again, Butler IS a jumpshooter. Always was, always will be. His best asset offensively, his mid range JUMPSHOT. He was always an above average penetrator, he can finish on a decent percentage, he can dunk sometimes, but his bread and butter was always his mid range game, even in his best years. What he did considerably better in those years though, was playmaking. He's yet to show this side of his game for us.

Again, i think that's just one more reason why we need Roddy to help with the scoring load. You could argue that he's the only inside-outside threat that we have. That, if he can show the same in extended minutes. I do think Butler will play better this year, but i don't think it will be enough to make us true contenders. Dirk is right though, Butler should mix it up more. But asking him to magically turn into a great penetrator, is not realistic.

[ASIMO]

Every player has struggled in the starting unit and 2nd unit (JET+JJB) on offence.

In that units Mavs offence totally depends on Jumpshooters because Butler[SG] Marion[SF] is just a mess and Barea is thinking to attack the board only by himself (or assist for a jump shooter). In his career Butler chooses jumpshot without hesitation when he cannot find a space. Thats his basketball. Nothing changes.

If Mavs could improve poor starting5 and 2nd unit, then Butler starts attcking the board... little bit.

[ahonui06]

Once again DIRK is right.

[Jinra]

I wish Michael Finl* -irk-, I mean Caron Butler would drive to the hole rather than shoot 19 footers all game long.