NBA Playoffs 2011: Will Caron Butler's Return Make Mavericks West Favorites?
The Dallas Mavericks are playing some of the best basketball they have played all season. Before the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers, they were clearly the best team in the Western Conference.
Yes, they are only 2-2 in their series against Portland, but Portland is probably the second- or third-best team so far as well.
One thing that needs to be reminded to anybody following the Mavericks and the NBA is that the Mavericks have been playing without arguably their second-best player, Caron Butler.
If Butler were to return, what would that mean for the Mavericks? What would the addition of an All-Star-caliber player to an already rock-solid team mean?
If history holds true, chances are it will not make a difference at all. Back in 2009, Jameer Nelson came back from an injury and was ineffective for Orlando in the playoffs. Last year, Tony Parker attempted a comeback coming off the bench, and it was also ineffective. Most recently, Brandon Roy came back to the court just eight days after surgery last year but was also unable to produce consistently.
For the Dallas Mavericks, this might be a different story. Caron Butler was a player for the Mavericks that was unique to the team. No other player on the team has the defense, jump shooting and slashing abilities of Butler.
Yes, Shawn Marion can slash and play defense. Jason Terry can shoot. DeShawn Stevenson can also play solid D. The problem is that none of these guys can do all of these things at the same time. Caron Butler was that player.
Butler’s return will largely depend on whether the Mavericks advance to the second round or not. With the series tied 2-2, the Mavericks still hold home-court advantage, something that has proved to be very significant in this series.
If the Mavericks are to advance, they will likely play the Los Angeles Lakers unless Chris Paul keeps showing the NBA that the best point guard label is still his. A solid defender and scorer like Caron Butler will surely be welcome in this series.
For now, the Mavericks should not worry about Butler’s return. They need to focus on doing the things they have done to win against the Blazers.
If they advance, Butler’s return should be strongly considered since there is a strong chance he can be a difference maker in Round 2. Even the Mavericks have seen what a former All-Star can do when ignited (Brandon Roy in Game 4).
Would the current Dallas Mavericks plus Caron Butler become the Western Conference team to beat? Only time will tell, but adding a player of his caliber to a team like the Mavericks only makes them better, and they were already among the best.
