draft day notes on caron butler!
ejones06
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Riley Pleased As Butler Slips to Heat
By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
AP/Mark Lennihan [17K]
MIAMI (AP) — Tears of joy welled in Caron Butler's eyes shortly after the Miami Heat drafted him, and the selection made coach Pat Riley just as happy.
The high-scoring small forward from Connecticut was projected to be taken as high as fifth Wednesday night, but he remained available when the Heat's turn came, and they grabbed him with the 10th pick.
``We are absolutely, without a doubt, unadulteratedly excited,'' Riley said following the first lottery selection of his 20-year career. ``We never ever thought he would be there.''
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Butler was disappointed to slip but pleased to be taken by a team that has needed a small forward since trading Jamal Mashburn two years ago. He'll have a shot at starting as a rookie, a rarity under Riley.
Butler attended the draft in New York and donned a Heat hat moments after the pick was announced.
``This is a great moment in my basketball career and especially in my life, for my children, my fiancee, my mother, my grandmother, my whole family,'' Butler said, his voice cracking.
Riley said none of the Heat's mock drafts showed Butler slipping to them. He was expected to be taken by Denver with the fifth pick, by Cleveland with the sixth or by New York with the seventh. A run on international talent and a Nuggets-Knicks trade left Butler on the board.
``I felt I was one of the top players in the draft this year,'' he said. ``I'm going to make them pay for passing on me.''
There are a few reservations about Butler's resume. On the court, his shooting range is limited, and he has had knee problems in the past. Off the court, he was arrested 15 times before he was 15 and spent a year in jail for bringing a gun and cocaine to school.
Riley said Butler's shooting stroke is excellent, his range will improve and his knees are fine. He played in every game for UConn last season.
As for Butler's troubled childhood: ``I think he has learned some great life lessons in the last six or seven years,'' Riley said. ``We have a player who simply wants it and is ready to play.''
The Heat, who went 36-46 last season to keep Riley out of the playoffs for the first time, need a rookie who can help right away. At age 22, Butler may be better groomed to contribute quickly than almost any other player in the draft.
``I'm going to bring a lot of leadership, maturity and flashy basketball,'' Butler said. ``I'm going to bring a lot of Ws, baby.''
A slashing, versatile forward, Butler averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore last season for the Huskies. He was at his best in big games and has drawn comparisons to Paul Pierce, who happened to be drafted with the 10th pick by Boston in 1998.
``Three years from now, people will be talking about this kid slipping to 10 the same way they talked about Paul Pierce,'' TNT commentator Charles Barkley said.
Butler was delighted with the way things worked out.
``God works in mysterious ways, and this is a great situation for me,'' he said.
Butler was a popular choice with the crowd of about 1,000 attending a Heat draft party. Said Riley to the crowd: ``You're going to love him!''
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By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
AP/Mark Lennihan [17K]
MIAMI (AP) — Tears of joy welled in Caron Butler's eyes shortly after the Miami Heat drafted him, and the selection made coach Pat Riley just as happy.
The high-scoring small forward from Connecticut was projected to be taken as high as fifth Wednesday night, but he remained available when the Heat's turn came, and they grabbed him with the 10th pick.
``We are absolutely, without a doubt, unadulteratedly excited,'' Riley said following the first lottery selection of his 20-year career. ``We never ever thought he would be there.''
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Butler was disappointed to slip but pleased to be taken by a team that has needed a small forward since trading Jamal Mashburn two years ago. He'll have a shot at starting as a rookie, a rarity under Riley.
Butler attended the draft in New York and donned a Heat hat moments after the pick was announced.
``This is a great moment in my basketball career and especially in my life, for my children, my fiancee, my mother, my grandmother, my whole family,'' Butler said, his voice cracking.
Riley said none of the Heat's mock drafts showed Butler slipping to them. He was expected to be taken by Denver with the fifth pick, by Cleveland with the sixth or by New York with the seventh. A run on international talent and a Nuggets-Knicks trade left Butler on the board.
``I felt I was one of the top players in the draft this year,'' he said. ``I'm going to make them pay for passing on me.''
There are a few reservations about Butler's resume. On the court, his shooting range is limited, and he has had knee problems in the past. Off the court, he was arrested 15 times before he was 15 and spent a year in jail for bringing a gun and cocaine to school.
Riley said Butler's shooting stroke is excellent, his range will improve and his knees are fine. He played in every game for UConn last season.
As for Butler's troubled childhood: ``I think he has learned some great life lessons in the last six or seven years,'' Riley said. ``We have a player who simply wants it and is ready to play.''
The Heat, who went 36-46 last season to keep Riley out of the playoffs for the first time, need a rookie who can help right away. At age 22, Butler may be better groomed to contribute quickly than almost any other player in the draft.
``I'm going to bring a lot of leadership, maturity and flashy basketball,'' Butler said. ``I'm going to bring a lot of Ws, baby.''
A slashing, versatile forward, Butler averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore last season for the Huskies. He was at his best in big games and has drawn comparisons to Paul Pierce, who happened to be drafted with the 10th pick by Boston in 1998.
``Three years from now, people will be talking about this kid slipping to 10 the same way they talked about Paul Pierce,'' TNT commentator Charles Barkley said.
Butler was delighted with the way things worked out.
``God works in mysterious ways, and this is a great situation for me,'' he said.
Butler was a popular choice with the crowd of about 1,000 attending a Heat draft party. Said Riley to the crowd: ``You're going to love him!''
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