This is not over
Hi people,
I want to start off by saying we are not going to give up. I know things are not going the way we expected them to go, but I’m still optimistic we will turn this thing around. We have to remain positive and believe we’re capable of winning games. If you take a close look at our season so far, you’ll see we’ve lost five or six games by four points of less. We’re not that far away from being a good team. We have good enough personnel. I truly believe that. If you don’t believe it, it’s over with. You always have to stay positive in the NBA.
With all the losses, there’s always typical stuff that will come up. The criticism, the rumors… I really don’t care much about that. When you’ve been in the NBA for a few years, you know rumors are just part of the show. Your name is going to be thrown out there. Some people will make it look like you’re not happy with your team. I don’t pay attention to that. It’s business as usual for me.
Even though my numbers are a little down this season, I know I can be an effective player for the Wizards and do whatever I’m asked for. I still can give you 20 points, 7 rebounds and some assists while guarding some of the best players in the league. I know I can do that. I’m not concerned about the trade rumors.
I’ve been traded a couple of times before in my career. That did nothing but give me extra motivation. Look at my track record… Every time I was dealt, I had better years with my new team than I had with the old one. You don’t want to get traded, but you can turn it into a positive. I know I did.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS, FINALLY
This year I will finally be able to spend Christmas with my family. It wasn’t that way the last two seasons. You try to have fun with your teammates in those situations, but it’s always hard not to have your loved ones around you those days. At the same time, you’re providing for them. So you feel good about that.
Maybe it’s a little bit of old news at this point… But since I haven’t blogged for a while here, I would like to talk a little bit about late Wizards owner Abe Pollin. That man truly was one of the best people I’ve ever known in my life. Ever since he traded for me, he cared about me. And he told me he cared about me. He was just an unbelievable person. He helped me a lot off the court. And you just have to look at what he did in the community to know he was a special person. You will be missed, Abe.
Not much more to say. Enjoy Christmas!
THE BAWSE Said,
December 22, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
i fux wit the wiz….hopfully they can turn things around after new years. new year, new money, new wiz!
Nick Said,
December 22, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
Hey Caron,
Keep your head up. People need to realize the core of your team hasn’t played together in 3 years. It’s gonna take some time to re-mesh. I’m a huge fan of yours and no matter where your career takes you, I’m supremely confident that you’ll find nothing but success.
Having said that, I do think you need to look for your shot more. I love your unselfishness…but you’re the best player on the team. If you had a more traditional PG (move Hibachi to the 2), you could wait to be set up. I say look for you mid-range jumper more and post up on those not as physical as you. I think you can carry the Wizards back to the playoffs…again
iamse7en Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 1:19 am
Tuff Juice.
Good to see you optimistic. I’m a die-hard fan - Didn’t miss a game last year (that’s how die hard I am), and I love my Bullets almost more than life itself.
I’m not sure why you’re always stuck on the baseline with one direction to go (which is trafficked paint) so you almost have to settle for a jumper every time. This team shoots too many jumpers. Ball movement, driving and dishing is the key. High percentage shots. Not contested jumpers.
I lost a lot of faith in this team. But you know, you guys are still learning your roles, how to gel with one another, and this team’s got some big talent. Only a few games out of the 8th spot. I know we’ll make the playoffs. And if the team learns some discipline and sticks to sound fundamentals, you can make some serious steam in the playoffs. We believe in you. Make it happen.
Bryant Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 5:19 am
Do you think that you can be a shooting guard on this team?
Because I would love to see you at the 2 spot and Antawn at the three spot, do you think that can happen?
Nicholas Todd Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 5:19 am
AT the end of the day you have to ask yourself. Can you win a championship. Sure you guys could salvage a half decent season but even if you make the playoffs I cant see you getting past the cavs, magic, celtics, or hawks. So really best thing would be to blow up team and try again. I mean on paper you guys look good but its not working on the court. Mike miller injury is killing you guys, I think if he was there he would take some pressure of the big 3. Andre Blatch needs to pull his finger out. the guy has some talent but no heart. Gilbert has responded well coming back from injury but he cant do it alone. jamison is still great player but I would be trading him while his stock is still high. he is 33 and likely to decline next year or 2. as for you tough juice. Whats going on this year? you used to dominate games. have you just lost some spring in your step or are you just not getting enough opportunities? Also whats the deal with stevenson. the guy is playing terrible. also is nick young coming along as well as most hoped so. I expected more. anyways good luck with it all. I do like you guys. hope all goes well. go the suns though
Caron Butler: "This Is Not Over" - NBA Core Forums - Discussion & News Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 9:28 am
[...] the old one. You don
gbkdc Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:11 am
I’m behind you 100%! You have been playing great lately. Keep up the good work, and if you leave DC, I will be crushed.
FC Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Hey Caron,
Die-hard fan here. I’ve watched the games this season and the losses definitely hurt. Very frustrating. They are so close yet so far. What’s going on with the team? When I watch, especially the 4th quarter, I see lack of control in the game…pretty much the flow of the team in disarray. Also, I noticed a big difference in your game this year. Are you playing hurt? If you are, I hope you think about getting a 2nd opinion as the Wizards’ medical staff has been nothing short of an epic failure all these years. Anyway, I hope the team is able to turn it around because as you mentioned, trade rumors are already starting to swirl around and when a team is constantly losing you have to think there is some truth to it.
PS - tell Andray he needs to be more aggressive and tell Nick Fury that 2 spot is his but he needs to be more consistent, not a once a week show.
FC
FC Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:15 am
gbkdc,
I’m sorry but which games have you been watching? Love Tuff Juice but this is not the Tuff Juice we know playing this year (so far).
FC
Soul Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:54 am
Caron you been steady like Freddie and the folks in DC crazy bout you no doubt but you know how it is - NBA is a bidness and owners don’t just want fans watching tv saying “oh I like him”…they want fans in the seats saying “Go Wizards!!” spending duckets and the best way to make that happen is to put a winning product on the floor. We ain’t been winning bruh.
If the team ain’t winning then the fans ain’t coming and the money ain’t flowing for the franchise plain and simple. Franchise been trying this Big 3 thang for 4/5 years now and while its a fan favorite and a welcome change from them sad Bullets years from the 80’s still the results been mediocre at best and this season the results been looking jive sad in their own right.
Ain’t nuthin against you - DC loves you Tuff Juice always remember that - but I’m just saying if it happens…and its a possibility cause you’re a valuable tradeable asset and ain’t nobody touching Gil’s contract so its either you or Antawn…do what you been doing and keep your head up and keep elevating your game staying steady like Freddie with that 20 and 7.
Truth About It » Wizards Link Run-Down & Award Nominations Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
[...] [Caron Butler's HoopsHype Blog: "This is not over"] [...]
Gooddad Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
I hope you retire a wizard!!! Just continue to play ball, move the ball for easier shots, and drive to the basket early and often. When the other team picks up a few fouls the lane opens right up…CB you know you can drive and dunk on most so why don’t you???
Larry Gibbons Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Caron never give up and I believe in you and this team. It was great to see you attacking the basket against the 76ers and I hope it continues. You are to athletic and to good a player to settle for jumpers all the time.
You, Gil, and Twan are the heart beat of this team. So lead them like a general leads troops into battle and get it done for DC. We want to cheer, we want to be loud and proud, we just need a team to step up and give us something to cheer about.
GoWiz Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
Keep it comin’, Juice! DC loves you.
Porky Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Isnt it amazing when a millionaire hoop player gets depressed? It happens and that I understand…well, not really understand because I struggle as a middle class worker bee as 99% of those who blog here. But its all relative, like all things in the Universe are relative.
GotDeleted Said,
December 24, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Seriously, you delete my posts because they were negative yet true??? Truth hurts huh?? Start playing like an all-star not like a role player.
AJ Said,
December 27, 2009 @ 6:26 am
Hate to disagree with you Caron, but when you got traded to the lakers you didn’t improve, you merely stopped being injured like the season before. You balled your rookie year. Although as bad as the lakers initialy trading you seemed, butler > kwame > pau is a progression they are happy with heh
bookiebusta Said,
December 29, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
Caron,
I got nothing but love for ya. Being from LA, I watched you play for the Fakers, and always wanted you on my Clips.. Obviously, the Wizards are not contenders this year, nor do I see you guys getting remotely close to a NBA championship in the near future.. I’m glad you’re optimistic and stay hopeful for the future, but reality has to settle in sometime.. I mean, it’s still early in the season, but barring no injury, I just can’t see how you guys make it past the Hawks, Cavs, Magic, or C’s… not even the Raptors, and maybe not even the Pistons…
How about you and Blatche come to LA for Thornton, Telfair, and Kaman? That should help out both ball clubs, considering the Wiz have a plethora of guards and small forwards (Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Nick Young, not to mention Arenas), and lack a decent 7-footer, while Clippers just need a steady offensive threat.. Can you imagine what it’d be like? B Diddy, EG, YOU, Blake Griffin (when he gets back), and Camby… with Blatche, Rasual, Craig Smith, and DeAndre off the bench?? Just a crazy thought, but it can make sense…
With that being said, I took the Wiz +1 tonight against Durant and his men… Good luck tonight… -_-