Is Caron Butler Dirty Like Kobe Bryant?

I hate to bring up that terrible Wizards loss to Portland. Ok, I already did in my Pac-NW recap. In any case, the honor of Caron Butler must be defended. So, I will attempt to quell any thoughts of Caron being a dirty player....like one Kobe Bryant.



In the live game blog on Bullets Forever, this is what I said:

Funny play to end the [Update: it happened at the end of the 1st, I originally had 2nd] quarter…Caron attempts a 3 at the buzzer, he misses…it looks like Roy goes into him, they both go down hard. But Caron gets right up, Baby Brandon needs the trainer to come help him. The replay shows that Caron “might” have grabbed Roy.

In the comments section, ItsMrHarris2u wrote this:

Baby Brandon just had his season ended by a Kobe wanna-be attempt to draw a foul. Pathetic play that shows alot about Coran. You NEVER grab someone and pull them down. What a POS.

Let's remember, as the Oregonian reminds us, that Brandon Roy was already hurt before the play in question: [UPDATE: As pointed out in the comments section, I was wrong. Roy's groin was not previously hurt. The play with Caron came at the end of the 1st quarter....for some reason I thought it happened before the half.]

Roy left the game at the end of the first quarter with a right groin strain, then returned midway through the second quarter, only to leave again for good minutes later after aggravating the injury.

Mike Barrett of the "official" Blazers Blog doesn't call Caron dirty, but does place the onus on Butler:

Caron Butler went up for a shot, and in an effort to create a foul on the play, locked arms with Brandon Roy. It pulled Roy into a very awkward landing, and being he didn't let up until Roy was already bent in half with his right leg tucked under him, it caused an injury to Roy's right groin muscle.

My Response:

My "baby" comment was more referencing youth than attitude. I am a fan of Brandon Roy and I definitely do not like seeing the guy get injured.

It's hard to tell from the side angle if it's truly what everyone thinks it is, a "Kobe-esque" move by Caron.

• [YouTube: Caron Butler should be suspended or fined]
• [Same angle, better quality on ESPN]

I will tell you this about Caron, he's not the traditional "hold your follow through" type of shooter. This video is the best example I could find without wasting too much time: Caron draining 5 straight threes against the Mavericks. Notice how quickly his arms retreat to his hips after the release. Now, factor in that Butler's shot against Roy was at the buzzer, when players are more likely to pull the string on the release.



The highlights from NBA.com show both the side and the back angle, which is much more definitive. I've watched the clip dozens of times and have tried my damndest to capture a screen shot to no avail. However, you should be able to watch it here.

Here is what I saw with my own eyes:

After the release, Caron Butler's left arm drifts off to his left side, gravity pulls it towards his hip. Brandon Roy, attempting to block the shot, has the momentum of his left arm (and body) going to the right (Roy's right) and in the opposite direction that Caron Butler is facing.

That's the obvious foul which is called: Brandon Roy's arm making contact and going through Caron Butler's off hand. Easy to see. But does, as the announcer comments on the NBA.com clip, Caron Butler "grab" Brandon Roy. At face value, most would say yes....and at regular speed, it looks very questionable.

Before I proceed, let me remind everyone that Caron Butler is playing with an injury to his LEFT wrist; a chipped bone somewhere in there. It's only natural for a player to protect his injury when playing.

Now go back and look at the clip. Brandon Roy's arm comes dangerously close to making direct contact with Butler's left wrist. One could argue that he does make contact with the left wrist, but I'm not sure....you'd have to ask Caron.

Knowing this, the actions of Caron Butler seem much more clear. He is trying to instinctively pull his wrist back to protect it when both players get inadvertently tangled. No part of the clip leads me to believe that Caron intentionally grabbed Brandon Roy. And I'm not sure how Mike Barrett expected Caron to "let up" as Butler tried to dive on the floor away from Roy, after Roy knocked him off-balance.

Would Brandon Roy have injured groin if he didn't commit the foul by making initial contact with Butler?

NO.

Brandon Roy's take: "It was just a freak play,'' Roy said. "His body weight fell on me and pushed me pretty far down.''

"Mister" Harris and all the other false accusers out there owe Tuff Juice an apology. Please keep the names Caron Butler and Kobe Bryant together in the same sentence, out your mouth.

Lesson Learned: Brandon Roy shouldn't have beaten Caron's butt in NBA Live. [video]

Washington Wizards React Quotes from the Pacific Northwest

Recapping the Best of the Recaps.


Don't Sleep on Roger Mason in Seattle

• If you say "must win" 5 times in front of a mirror, the Silent Assassin will appear.
  
• Of course, the live game blog.
• A report from someone at the game.
• Prada doesn't want to make 'small ball' a routine.
• NBA.com game info
  

Seattle Sonics Blog on seattlepi.com:

There were several disturbing things about the game. How in the world did Roger Mason Jr. get open for six 3-pointers en route to 22 points? At about the third or fourth 3-pointer, you have to double Mason to get the ball out of his hands. There was a definite lack of defensive adjustments and that is coach P.J. Carlesimo's fault.

Seattle "tried" to get the ball out of Roger Mason's hands, but when it was too late [from the game blog]:

3:01 (4th Quarter): Now he's driving and dropping dimes to Jamison, the Seattle players are chasing ROGER MASON JR.? all over the court. Unbelievable.

SonicsCentral.com:

Your resident box score poster is feeling like he got run over by a truck on the I-5, so I’m keeping this brief and heading to bed. Sonics lost. No surprise there. They put up a good fight. Roger Mason (yeah…who?) killed us with 5 3 pointers in the 4th quarter.

Bullets Forever:

Songaila might have been a more unsung hero, though. The Wizards offense lacked movement, particularly with Jamison, who wasn't cutting with any crispness at all. Once Songaila came in, that changed. He had three layups off cuts when the ball went into the posts, and he also had two nice lookaways that led to driving layups off high screens. More importantly, he was keeping guys off the glass. He only had three boards, but Nick Collison, after grabbing 15 boards in the first half, had only six thereafter.

>>>>>>>>>>

The "Game" in Portland

(I know, I know.....but just remember the famous Santayana quote. Then again, maybe you'd prefer a quote from another George.)

[you shouldn't read this game blog, but just for the record]

Blazer's Edge: [from Game Recap and Media Row Report]

This wasn't a "dump to Travis and watch" game, though instinctively it should have been. In fact Travis had 5 assists. That shows you what kind of night it was. It's not like the Wizards are winning Defender of the Year trophies, but we've made bad defensive teams look pretty good before.
----
Joel Przybilla MURDERED the Wizards on the glass. He was the main reason they never made a credible run. They were never sure they could get a rebound and thus never got the chance for easy buckets. He had an incredible 8 offensive rebounds and 17 overall. To put that 17 in perspective, it was more than the Wizards' entire bench plus starting guards put together.
----
The Wizards' Media Guide profile of Abe Pollin was stocked with a wee bit of hyperbole. First, it notes that Polin and his wife "have been at the center of every major issue in the NBA during their time at the helm of the Washington Bullets/Wizards." They have been owners since 1964. That's 44 years and A LOT of issues. I don't remember hearing their names on the national news except when they screwed over Michael Jordan. Bueller, Bueller, Pollin, anyone?
----
Caron Butler came out like he wanted 50 points tonight. His flame was extinguished in the second half. By the way, if tonight was any indication, this man loves shooting contested jump shots more than anyone else in the NBA.
----
My favorite sequence started with a Nick Young flying, gliding layup which he celebrated with a cocky jog back to play defense. The next possession down, he attacked the basket aggressively again... only to be completely rejected by Joel Przybilla. Mr. Young, in 3 years when you win your first dunk contest and Sports Illustrated asked you for your "Welcome to the NBA Moment," go ahead and cite that one.

Blazers Blog:

I've already said this a couple of times this season so it may not hold much value any more, but last night's win was probably the most impressive of the season.

Funny, Wizards fans were saying the exact opposite after that game. Blazers Blog also has a lot of other good game reaction clips.

Wizards in the form of Bullets, Here's to keeping Portland weird

The Wizards Run-Down

• The anti-Eddie Jordan crowd has ceased their crowing lately. Tuff Juice gives Eddie his full support, as he has done all year, and Ivan Carter of the Washington Post does well to drum up some support.
  
• Support came from Slam magazine giving some link love to the Washington Post's touting of Jordan. (Byron Scott seems to be the favorite among the commentors)
• So Michael Lee on Wizards Insider starts the east-coast Coach of the Year argument with four great cases, but gives no answer.
  
• Lez Bullez also talks about others in the conversation.
• The DC Pro Sports Report has Eddie's back and cites the valid criticism.
• Me? Right Now: Mo Cheeks 1, Eddie Jordan 2 - but there's a lot of important games left.
  
  
• To the West Coast Swang with the Pradamaster from Bullets Forever:
  My guess is that if the trip is a microcosm of the entire season, like it was last year, we're in good shape. This year's team doesn't have nearly as much talent, but they're more organized, play better defense, and have better coaching.
• Good thing the Wizards took Monday off to get a head start to Portland.
• Awww....Somebody bald has a crush. [PTI]
• VOTE FOR GILBERT OR DIE!
  
• Know what I'm sayin'?
• It's game night people.
• Game #9 blog vs. Trailblazers
  
• Catch tonight's game blog on Bullets Forever
• [And here is the link to that game #70 blog versus the Portland Trailblazers.]
• GO WIZARDS!
  

Recapping those Pistons:

The prerequisite Bullets Forever recap and link to the live game blog.

What about the nation of Pistons?

Pistons Nation regurgitates the company line:

Another factor was probably that the Wizards still have playoff positioning to play for where as the Pistons are comofortably in the 2 slot. So they’re tinkering with things in preparation for the post-season.

I would agree more with Need 4 Sheed's assessment:

Another lackluster performance for the Pistons, who have a tough stretch ahead. They are locked into a playoff spot, but we would like for them to be playing solid ball headed into the playoffs.

And on Rasheed's tech:

Sheed's 11th tech of the season. It clearly was a foul, but a tech? I guess however if you give one to Stackhouse for pushing Ginobili's face into the floor Sheed's little push qualifies, though it was very marginal.

Detroit Drugs Liquor

from DetroitDerek
top photo of Portland from [PhotoNerd]

Game 9 Blog: Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trailblazers

Ok, back to back nights for the Wiz. Gilbert played 38 minutes last night. 10 minutes of rest, not bad....especially since Gil tells us that his knee is improving in his latest Agent Zero blog entry.

It's early in the season, so I wouldn't be too concerned with Caron Butler burning out; he played 46 minutes against the T-Wolves. It's obvious that he is the #1 horse this year, the pillar that the team must lean on since they really don't know what they will get from Gil on a nightly basis. Even though Arenas came through big last night, I'm not ready to officially declare him back. Butler is shooting .508 from the field this year, a dramatic improvement from the .463 he shot last year. Let's hope he keeps it up.

The big issues for tonights game:

>> Production from the 2, the Wiz are desperate for someone to step up.

>> Who's guarding LaMarcus Aldridge? It will probably be AJ, and we are never thrilled with his D. But LaMarcus has a good perimeter game, so you definitely don't want Haywood away from the basket, chasing him around...then again, Channing Frye likes to roam too. I'm sensing that we will see the big line-up (one of them) early tonight. Blatche will be key (obvious).

This just in: Gilbert Arenas will not be playing tonight, gotta rest that knee. I'm okay with this... gives Eddie a chance to see who wants to man up. This team has their work cut out for them though. Can Antonio Daniels step it up like he did in last year's playoffs? Unfortunately, this also means run for Nick Young...and I'm okay with that too. I've been down on the guy, but I still want to see what he's made of. Can he rebound after a horrible game last night? Let's roll.

1st Quarter

Wiz go to Haywood early...good, but I'd like to see him get lower post position before feeding him the ball. He misses the first shot of the game.

Haywood actually starts off on LaMarcus, AJ on Frye.

7:14 - Great pass by Daniels to Haywood for a dunk...a little dribble penetration, and a great maneuver of the correct passing angle. Wizards up 11-2. Also, Stevenson has started the game strong on D, bothering Brandon Roy a good bit.

The Wiz are doubling Aldridge from the top at times.

5:01 - Andray in for Haywood, along with Roger Mason Jr for Stevenson....now it's his turn to show what he can do.

3:43 - Not a pretty game so far, just under 4 minutes left and Eddie Jordan must take a time-out as the Wiz are still stuck on 11 and the Blazers have 7.

2:17 - Still on 11, 9 for the Blazers. Fro some reason the Wizards have stopped going to Butler. The lull is cut short with a Jamison 3.

As the clock runs down in the first, the ball is in Roger Mason's hands at the top, he gives it to AJ on the right wing, who zips it back to Roger, who then feeds it to Butler on the left wing. But Butler only gets the ball with 3 seconds left on the clock....lucky for the Wiz, he fires up a 3 and gets fouled, makes all three FTs. My problem is the sequence and the Joe Gibbs-like clock management. The ball should have been in Caron's hands much earlier.

Wiz up 22-15 at the end of the first.

2nd Quarter

Roger Mason is playing solid so far. He's hit a 3, and just made a breakaway lay-up after a Stevenson steal. More importantly, he hasn't made any mistakes. Wizards up 32-19.

7:57 - Blatches checks out after playing some great ball on both ends of the court. AJ, Haywood, Songaila, Mason Jr, and Stevenson in the game.

5:49 - Wiz up 10, 34-24 - Haywood gets blocked by Przybilla, but stays with it and gets fouled on the 2nd attempt, makes both FTs. You really have to be proud of the Wizards effort so far. Yea, they aren't shooting well (35%), but they are making Portland work for theirs (33%), and they only have 2, get it TWO turnovers so far. Damn, I hope that I just didn't jinx them.

5:34 - 2 points, first points, for Steve Blake....just a minor mis-communication for the Wiz on D. Tighten that up fellas. Blatche is back in the game though...you see, Eddie is not going to confuse any players...or send mixed messages. If you earn playing time, you will get playing time.

Wiz up 40-32. Why am I surprised? Butler only has 7 points...4 of those came in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the game, and the other 3 came on those FTs at the end of the first. Believe it or not, this is a GOOD sign.

3:02 - Jamison 3, the Wizards, including Blatche, are really moving the ball well on offense. AJ has 13 points and is 3-5 on 3s.

Does anyone have the plus/minus on JUST when Haywood and Blatche are in the game at the same time? Bullets Forever? They just seem to have great chemistry. I know that Haywood is more down-low and Blatche roams around the mid-range...even still, they never get in each other's way, nor do they congest the offense for anyone else.

Ha! I love it...very nice tactic by the Wizards. My boy Rob, who is at the game, texts me that they are putting the Dallas Cowboys logo on the big screen when the Blazers are shooting FTs to the increase Boo factor. They show it on TV a couple minutes later.

Halftime...the Wiz hold strong. Nothing incredibly special, but if you ask me, it's been a great performance so far. I wonder when exactly did the team find out that Gil wasn't playing...so they could properly prepare themselves. Wizards up 47-38.

3rd Quarter

Key...Wiz start the 3rd off strong. Good for Eddie Jordan to keep these guys focused and motivated coming out the locker room. They score the first 5 points and go up 14.

Brandon Roy has been quiet ya'll....only 3 FTs, 0-4 from the field.

10:11 - Buck says that the Blazers have gone the past 4:20 of game time without a FG.

Haywood has also done a great job staying in between LaMarcus and the basket. But it hasn't only been this game....he's been moving his feet well, laterally, the whole season.

8:04 - Haywood offensive rebound draws a foul. He and Jamison are actually fighting over offensive rebounds at this point. Brendan makes both FTs, he's 7-7 for the game, Wiz up 58-42.

7:01 - Steve Buck says that Stevenson just thought about this first shot of the game, but did not take it. Good...someone has been in this guy's ear about knowing his role.

6:32 - Nick Young makes his first appearance...holding breath....NOW (until he gets his first turnover)

6:06 - Breath release...not for the TO, but Young hits a 3 after the penetration set up by Antonio Daniels.

5:16 - As expected...a bad close-out from Nick Young, on Steve Blake of all people...foul on Young. Absolutely no defensive fundamentals...what are you doing out there at USC Tim Floyd?

4:38 - Another foul on Nick Young...this time he decides to move his hands instead of his feet and fouls Brandon Roy on a drive to the basket.

3:49 - Brandon Roy 3 on Nick Young's head...8-0 run by the Blazers, Wiz up 66-52 now. Eddie leaves him in the game, but opts for Roger Mason checking in for Stevenson.

3:29 - Young hits 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points in the game...I'm sure the folks on Wiz insider are just raving about his offense and about how he needs to play more.

2:46 - Ok, Props to Nick Young (see, I give it when it's due)...he dives on the floor for a loose ball that leads to a Wiz fast break. And look, I'm not completely down on the guy....I DO realize that he's a rookie. I'm still happy that the Wizards got him at where they picked in the draft and I trust Ernie Gruns. Clear?

2:15 - Young hit a J on one end, but fails to get low on D and fight through a pick on the other end...Jarrett Jack hits a crazy shot.

:59 - Breakaway dunk by Young...thank you young man for coming alive and giving the Wiz some offense off the bench. I guess I can't criticize his D too much....Gilbert Arenas does still play for the Wizards.

:20 - Nick Young is on fire, he hits a deuce just inside the 3 point line as the shot clock was running down. The LA yungin' has broken into double figures for the first time in his career.

End of the 3rd...AD gets a layup And1 as the clock runs out (ok, :00.2 left). The Blazers cut the lead to 12, but the Wiz now lead 78-63.

4th Quarter

Jitters for the Blazers, two turnovers in their first two 4th quarter possessions.

Eddie going with the lineup of Young, Songaila, Daniels, Butler & Blatche.

9:43 - Damn, Andray picks up his 5th foul, Haywood in.

9:21 - Wow, Young hits a back-down-spin-fade-away jumper. Nice! I like!

8:40 - Haywood dunk! Wiz up 88-70. My mom, who is in town for a visit, comments on the funny eye-brows of Jarrett Jack. And hey, they are funny. Haywood is on the cusp of another double-double, 15 points - 8 rebounds. Roger Mason has 8 points as well? Wasn't aware of that. In fact, the Wiz have gotten 32 points from their bench tonight, and if I'm not mistaken, that is a season high (of course, it's to be expected since Arenas is out tonight).

6:03 - Wow. Haywood is 9-9 on FTs tonight.

3:51 - Largest lead of the game for the Wiz after an AD steal and a Caron Butler dunk, no Blazer even crossed half-court....while he put his hand behind his head, a la...Karl Malone. 102-79 Wiz.

Dominic McGuire checks in as Eddie starts to clear his bench, joins D-Song, Young, Blatche & Mason Jr.

Everything is great....Caron Butler is dancing on the bench. Antonio Daniels had 10 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds....only 3 turnovers.

But get this....as of right now....and yes, it is now garbage time, the Wizards only have 6 turnovers for the ENTIRE game (finished with 8). Taking a quote from the Steve Buckhantz book, "How 'Bout That?"

The young Wiz close out the game nicely.... the final score is 109-90.

Wizards fans could not have asked for anything more. Solid game. Arenas got rest. Rookies got experience. Low turnovers. Made FTs. Copacetic.

I can't even go on anymore....now off to the bar for drinks.

Peace.