<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO -- Caron Butler couldn't help but feel like a kid again as he sat in Phil Jackson's office Wednesday, flashing back to his days growing up as a Chicago Bulls fan in Racine, Wis., and thinking ahead to future possibilities. "It was unbelievable just seeing him and sitting next to him," Butler said. "Just being a fan of his all these years, and now 'His Greatness' is telling me some of the things he wanted to do with me and some of the potential I had. "Him just mentioning my name in the press conference, that meant a lot. The notoriety and everything just let me know that I established myself back in this league after coming off the (knee) injury (in October 2003)." One day after he cited Butler in speaking about the promise he sees in returning as Lakers coach, Jackson was more pointed in his first conversation with the 25-year-old forward, recounted Thursday after a workout at the team's practice facility. Butler said Jackson sized him up with two questions. The first was how tall Butler really was; the answer: about 6-foot-6. The second was whether Butler liked handling the ball, a likely clue of where he will fit into Jackson's favored triangle offense. As one of four small forwards under contract, Butler could potentially be moving into the backcourt to help alleviate the Lakers' roster crunch. To that end, Butler plans to report to training camp at 220 pounds, about 10 pounds lighter than last season. He backed up Kobe Bryant at shooting guard some during his first Lakers season and played a stretch at point guard for the Miami Heat before that. And Butler, who averaged 21.9 points with Lamar Odom out at the end of last season, is prepared for anything. "Phil told me he wanted me to attack and be aggressive, and I'm going to ask him for some film on Scottie Pippen," Butler said. "I'd kind of like to fit that role in the triangle, sometimes bring the ball up. "That's why I'm trying to get a little stronger, work on my speed, lose a little weight, be a little quicker." Meanwhile, as Bryant's best friend on the Lakers, Butler talked with the superstar guard about Jackson's hiring earlier this week. He said Bryant was happy about the decision and expressed a desire to move forward.</div> Source
I'm happy for Butler, I hope he becomes a great player with phil coaching. I still remember how amazing he was his rookie year with the Heat.
yeah i think phil wants butler and odom to stay in La with kobe. but lakers still need to trade some other players to get a devensive guy. phil always talks about how kobe odom and butler will be really good with the triangle offense so i think they will stay in la next year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mel JBB:</div><div class="quote_post">Too bad he's our main trade bait...</div> Exactly... I like Caron, but if we can get something better with a deal involving him, there should be no hesitation to trade him...
