Caron Butler has played an unusually pivotal role in recent Lakers history. He was a key part of the Shaquille O'Neal trade, and then sent to Washington for Kwame Brown. The latter would be remembered as an all-time WTF stain on Mitch Kupchak's resume had he not later flipped Kwame for Pau Gasol, a trade that led directly to a pair of NBA championships. And to think, it all goes back to Caron Butler... OK, not really. It all goes back to Shaq. But for a guy whose Laker career lasted all of 77 games, Caron was a pretty important asset. Too bad we don't get to see him play tonight.
Toast the memory of Caron's 2004-05 season whenever someone mentions:
- "Boy toy,"
- The Mavs' losing streak,
- Caron's injury,
- Ron Artest's three-point shooting, or
- How both of these teams are pretty damn old.
Eyes on your own paper, everyone.