It’s been a season of discovery for Caron Butler. With Gilbert Arenas out with a knee injury, the Wizards’ forward has grown into a variety of roles — scorer, leader, playmaker, go-to man, defensive force.
Tonight when the Wizards (22-17) face Cleveland (22-18) at Quicken Loans Arena, Butler will face LeBron James, the man who fills all the same roles, and more, for the Cavaliers.
After practice Tuesday at Verizon Center, Butler downplayed the individual battle.
“Coach (Eddie Jordan) says, ‘Don’t let the “disease of me” take over,’” said Butler. “Just go out there, play team basketball, play consistent, whatever you need to do on that particular night to help your team win.”
While the 6-foot-7 Butler has evolved into his role with his third team and in his sixth season, the 6-8 James was required to be a star from the moment he arrived in Cleveland five seasons ago.
“He knows how to make the supporting cast around him better,” said Butler. “He’s a great facilitator and he knows when to pick and choose his poison. He knows when to be aggressive.”
Both teams enter after meaningful victories. Cleveland has won four straight, including a 90-88 win Thursday at defending NBA champ San Antonio. Washington has won five of its last six — including a pair over league-leading Boston — and its latest win, 102-84 over Dallas on Monday, reiterated the Wizards’ new defensive identity, forged largely by their leader.
“A lot of people are like, ‘Caron is doing this and doing that. Where is this coming from?’” said Antawn Jamison. “But the guy has been doing it since he’s been here. The biggest difference is you don’t have a three-time All-Star and one of the best guys in the league in Gilbert Arenas taking all the attention.”
