The Mavericks' Malaise

By Migs

The Dallas Mavericks' Caron Butler is one tough hombre.

In the picture above, he is seen taking a Harley Race-type knee from Quentin Richardson, then of the Heat. Before the age of 15, Butler had been arrested 15 times. During his youth in Wisconsin, he had to battle through gang life.

He has fought off all challenges to become an NBA all-star. After working in a Burger King outlet as a youngster, he now owns 6 fastfood branches across the United States. Caron's even begun to take Business Management units in Duke University.

Back in 2007, he attended a Washington area youth's surprise birthday party. Said party wasn't even covered by the Wizards' PR department. It was pure gesture. Deep inside, beyond the hardened, tatooed exterior, Butler's actually quite a nice guy.

This is part of why the Mavs losing him for the season because of a torn patellar tendon is especially tragic.

Apart from averaging 15.0 ppg and shooting a career high 43% from 3-point range, Butler was one of Dallas' tough guys. You could ask him to cover the Wades, Kobes, and Durants of the world and he'd do so, without complaint. He had the ability to get in the face of the offensive player, to get in his head, without actually causing a scuffle. On a Rick Carlisle team that has preached defense, Butler's presence, Butler's hustle, is of paramount importance.

Rumor mills have spun and spewed out news that Mark Cuban could be on the lookout to trade Butler's expiring contract for someone like Andre Iguodala, himself a defensive stalwart. Iguodala, in a sense, has worn out his welcome in Philly and seems to be better suited as a supporting star. The problem I see with this equation would be the fact that AI is a ball-dominator, and with guys like Terry, Kidd, and Dirk needing the ball in their hands most of the time, Iggy would be hard pressed to adjust his style to suit what the Mavericks do, especially on offense.

Someone who I think might fit the bill in a Butler deal would be OJ Mayo of the Grizzlies. Mayo's contract comes at a reasonable $4,456,200, and he's the sort of guy who has begun to play off the ball already in Memphis, with guys like Mike Conley and Zach Randolph getting most of the touches. He's a scorer, and Dallas, which at times would look lethargic on offense, would definitely welcome his long range scoring and his slashing acumen. To make a long story short, he could be the heir apparent to an aging Jason Terry.

For those who believe that 'Melo has a shot at landing in Big D, I do not think this is feasible. Denver wants 5 draft picks in any 'Melo deal, and the Mavs have none at this point. Even if owner Mark Cuban manages to swing a multiteam deal, he would not be able to get 5 draft choices to give away, nor would he let go, most likely, of injured French phenom Rodrigue Beaubois. Anthony, then, has a better chance of making it to the Nets (this year) or the Knicks (towards the trade deadline, or at worst, in the offseason), than he does going to Texas.

At the end of the day, the Mavericks now have a void at the 3-spot. Shawn Marion's recent play (22 points against lowly Cleveland) is an auspicious sign, however, after Marion, what next? Who backs up Dirk? Who can slide into the 3-spot when Marion takes a breather or is playing the 4? Stevenson? Kidd (in a "speedball" lineup wherein he joins Barea and Terry)? Impulsive Mavs fans might suggest waiving a guy like Steve Novak, and signing a 3-man from the sky, but who is available in the land of free agency? Dominique Jones has proven that he can ball in the NBA, but would you really be comfortable playing him in a playoff game against a team like the Thunder? Or the Spurs?

Whatever the case, the Mavs have to adjust, and adjust speedily. And oh, prayers to the basketball gods for Dirk's knee to heal up would help immensely, too.

Until then, Caron Butler, the nice guy, the tough customer, heals, with an uncertain fate awaiting him, and with an even more uncertain fate awaiting his current squad, as well.

Follow Caron Butler on Twitter- http://twitter.com/realtuffjuice
Follow Mavs owner Mark Cuban on Twitter- http://twitter.com/mcuban

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