The best player onthe court drove the lane, dished inside to teammate Antawn Jamison, then cleaned up his miss with a basket. The best player drained a long three-pointer with the shot clock running down. He rolled off a pick and buried another jumper. And he drove the lane, then passed the ball to Jarvis Hayes for another three-point attempt.
The best player on the court, in this two-minute span, took the Wizards (18-13) from a deficit to a lead.
And then Gilbert Arenas re-entered Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee, giving Caron Butler a deserved rest.
The only thing that could overshadow Butler’s night was Arenas’ game-winning, buzzer-beating three pointer. However, the 6-foot-7 Butler — who scored 29 points Wednesday, making his first nine field goals — is playing well enough to possibly earn his first All-Star Game berth. The game is in Las Vegas on Feb. 18th.
Butler, a 26-year-old forward in his fifth season, is averaging 20.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game — compared to 17.6, 6.2 and 2.5, respectively, last season. He’s shooting a career-high 49.5 percent.
“He’s one of the most underrated players in the league,” Arenas said. “He does the little things to help the Big Three go. The way he shoots frees up everybody.”
“He’s definitely playing to an All-Star caliber,” Jamison said. “Caron is the one guy who has been consistent throughout the season.”
Others have noticed.
“He was very good before,” Bucks coach Terry Stotts said, “but it seems like he’s shooting with a lot of confidence. Those three play off each other so well.”
Butler lost at least 10 pounds in the offseason, ditching fast food and hiring a chef. He spent more time working out with Arenas. That focus is, perhaps, why he averages 22.4 points and 9.9 rebounds this season in the second of back-to-back games.
“He’s a lot quicker,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordansaid. “What helps us and adds another dimension is that he gets the rebound and pushes himself. That puts a strain on the defense.”
But an All-Star? Jordan said Butler is playing that well — now.
“[But] longevity has its place,” Jordan said.
In other words, check back later.
“I know I’m playing at a high level,” Butler said. “My confidence is at an All-Star level.
“Much more was expected of me after doing so well in the playoffs last year. I have an edge about myself and I have the talent to do some great things. I’ll push this until I reach my peak and I’m far from it now.”
