A blessing in disguise Let's face it, with Butler the Mavericks were not going to win the NBA title because this is a team playing zone defense who loooooovvvvvvvveeeeeeee the jump shot. In terms of jump shooting, Butler is a huge part of this.
Butler's old hat. We know what he has and no matter how nice it can get, it's never enough. As far as winning a championship. If you want 50 wins and first-round dispatch, Butler's your best No. 2.
If the Mavericks want to make a run, Butler's injury might be a blessing.
It forces Rick Carlisle's hand in giving minutes to veteran DeShawn Stevenson, and youngsters Dominique Jones and, when and if he returns (I think Mike Bacsik called it the longest two months ever), Roddy Beaubois.
It's new blood that is relentless in attacking the basket (Jones played in yesterday's win in Cleveland and shot like crap, but went to the line five times), killing teams with athleticism and being able to put a young body on an opposing guard.
Yes, Jones and Beaubois will make a lot of mistakes and Stevenson is extremely limited, but they will not give you 10 jump shots mixed with a baseline drive every half, like Butler.
Also, Butler hadn't even been the second-best Maverick on the roster. That goes to Shawn Marion, who's been head over heels better than Butler and everyone else of non-German descent. A really good case could be made that Butler's not even been the best four players as Jason Terry's had a very good start of the season (struggled as of late) and Tyson Chandler's been far more of an impact player.
Look at it this way, you weren't winning with Butler. With the young guns, you just don't know what you have.
