Published May 02, 2008 12:35 am - INDEPENDENCE — Everyone knew LeBron James could win a playoff series virtually by himself. He proved as much several times before already in the postseason.
Cavaliers Notebook: Butler does a good imitation of LeBron
CHRIS BEAVEN Canton Repository
INDEPENDENCE — Everyone knew LeBron James could win a playoff series virtually by himself. He proved as much several times before already in the postseason.
But he might have company in this series, in the form of Wizards All-Star forward Caron Butler.
“We really believe he can win this series for them, that’s how dangerous he is,” Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said.
Butler’s game-winning layup in traffic in Wednesday’s Game 5 completed his finest playoff performance. The former UConn star went for 32 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.
“He can do pretty much anything out there on the floor,” Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson said.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown later listed the ways Butler can take over as a scorer by driving, shooting 3-pointers, posting up, or using the pick and roll.
“He’s a tough, tough guy,” Brown said.
So tough, in fact, Butler has one of the league’s best nicknames: “Tough Juice” — a moniker his coach, Eddie Jordan, gave him several seasons ago.
Playing alongside All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison may obscure
Butler’s work. And he is nowhere near as flamboyant as Arenas. But with Arenas out with a knee injury, Butler’s game is on full display.
“He picked up his game a lot with Gilbert out,” Gibson said.
And Jordan is not surprised.
“He’s strong enough and skilled enough to beat good defense, and he’s smart enough and veteran enough to know when to make a play whether he’s driving to the paint or drawing and kicking to his perimeter players,” Jordan said.
“We’ve always like the ball in his hands at the top of the floor, and he made some great decisions.”
n CHOICES, CHOICES — With the Cavaliers protecting a late lead Wednesday, guard Gibson said they had to juggle working the clock with getting a good shot.
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