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Butler, Jamison Get the Call
The selection of Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler reflects the respect other teams have for the way the Wizards performed despite the absence of three-time all-star Gilbert Arenas.
(The Washington Post)
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"My thing since I've been in this league and got traded a couple of times, was that once I found a home, it was going to be over, I was going to establish myself," Butler said. "Here, I'm comfortable. I'm in a great situation with a great coach, it's a great organization and I have great teammates. So, it's just nice to prove that last year was not a fluke."
The all-star credentials of Butler and Jamison were enhanced significantly when the Wizards knocked off the Celtics in back-to-back games on Jan. 12 (85-78 at Verizon Center) and Jan. 14 (88-83 in Boston).
The Wizards also own a pair of wins over the Dallas Mavericks and are in sixth place in the East, just a half-game behind Cleveland and Toronto, which are tied for fourth.
"The fact that we will be there is a reflection on the whole entire team," Butler said. "We've hit our share of bumps along the way but we've also played some good basketball despite the injuries and everything else and this is a reward for that. It's going to feel good have to of us down there representing the Wizards."
Wizards Notes: Jamison was thrilled yesterday to learn about his all-star selection. But his agent, Arn Tellem, should be nearly as happy because Jamison is in the final season of the six-year, $79.3 million contract he signed with Golden State in 2001 and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Jamison is in his 10th season and will turn 32 in June. Along with Arenas, who plans to opt out of the final season of his contract, Jamison will be among the most attractive free agents on the market, but he made it clear yesterday that he is comfortable in Washington.
"I'm a firm believer that the grass is not always greener on the other side," said Jamison, who is earning $16.3 million this season. "I think we've got something special here. I think we have a great relationship. They want me to come back on their side and I want to do the same thing. At the same time, it is a business and anything can happen between now and when it is time to work something out but this is a perfect fit for me."
Jamison said that while he and the team discussed a possible extension last season, the sides never came close to an agreement.
"I think the most important thing for them was to get myself and Gilbert at the same time and that makes sense," Jamison said. "If they would have brought something to the table, I would have been ecstatic and if they said: 'Wait until after the season.' I was happy to do that. It hasn't changed my thought process at all." . . .
Irene Pollin will host the National Women's Heart Day Health Fair today at Verizon Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
