Butler's Return to the Wizards Is Cause for Celebration

By George Solomon
Sunday, March 16, 2008

Images from a week in town after snowbirding in Florida much of the past three months:

You know you're back and spring is coming to Washington when the schoolkids line up in front of the White House for that class picture, their teachers trying for smiles and calm.

And, four blocks north as police close off a full square block with their yellow tape and flashing lights, you wonder if it's because of Caron Butler's "invitation only" birthday party, a Redskins Fanfest or a Feinstein book signing.

"Suspicious package," explained a policeman. Later, authorities blew up the package with a controlled explosion.

Welcome home.

Thursday was a big day for Caron. He celebrated his 28th birthday by returning to action at Verizon Center after missing 19 games because of a hip injury, playing 41 minutes and scoring 19 points in a 101-99 win over the Cleveland LeBrons.

"I enjoyed that even though I was fatigued in the second half," said Butler, who looked great afterward in a light gray pinstripe suit, a purple shirt, fabulous tie and kerchief. (Generalization: NBA players dress better than sportswriters, Wilbon being the rare exception.) "Time to go out and have a good time."

So Butler headed out into the chilly Washington night -- bound for his celebration with teammates, friends and celebrities to the Park at 14th. The evening cost him $250,000, according to The Reliable Source, and was hosted by "socialite turned reality TV starlet Kim Kardashian."

My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail -- again! -- as was the case last year when Gilbert spent $1.2 million to host his birthday party at the downtown hotspot Love. How come Wes Unseld never had a birthday party at a club called Love? How come these guys don't just eat a steak, drink a beer and call it a night anymore? I would liked to have asked Red Auerbach that one.

Eagles Flying High

The next day, though, belonged to Jeff Jones and his American Eagles as they defeated Colgate, 52-46, before a packed house of 3,044 at Bender Arena. AU has been playing basketball for 82 years -- and for more than half of those years AU alums Ronald "Boots" Nissenbaum of Philadelphia and Robin Wexler of Bethesda have been faithfully going to the games.

Never in those 82 years had AU made it to the Division I men's NCAA basketball tournament (three times the Eagles participated in a lesser college division from 1957-60), even when the school had produced good teams under good coaches -- until Friday night, when Boots and Robin stood together crying as they watched the AU players cut down the nets in celebration of winning the Patriot League championship and a place in the coveted tournament.

"All those years, we've come to these games, but we've always been a bridesmaid, never a bride," Boots said. "It's always Georgetown, Maryland, GW. Mason. Never AU. This is our moment."

"Our time," Wexler said. "Finally. Our time."

"Look at them," Nissenbaum's wife said. "Just look at them."

This is Jones's eighth year at American, coming to the Northwest Washington school when Virginia soured on him in 1998 despite five NCAA appearances in eight years. His Eagles had been close before, but could never close the deal until Friday when they scored the last seven points. "Even when things didn't look good, we didn't back off and kept our composure," Jones said.

When it was over, the nets came down, the AU students patted the players on the back and many of the alumni cried. No one wanted to leave.

The contrast between Bender Arena and Verizon Center -- scene of last Saturday's contest between Georgetown and Louisville for the Big East regular season title -- was dramatic. For openers, the 20,000-seat arena was full of Georgetown alums, many of whom star at primo D.C. law firms. Joining them were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, sports moguls Ted Leonsis and Mark Lerner, and Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

Of course, John Thompson Jr. was there to work the game for Westwood One radio and cover his son, the coach. I asked Thompson how can he call John III's games? "I tell him the same stuff I say on the radio," Thompson replied. Patrick Ewing Sr. was there, too, cheering on his son, Patrick Jr. In a recent interview on Comcast SportsNet, the elder Ewing said "he never" tells his son what to do, but a few seconds later added, "I'm trying to get him to use all his ability and talent -- shooting and rebounding." Spoken like a true parent.

Georgetown won the game and title in a tense defensive struggle. Afterward, Louisville Coach Rick Pitino said of the Hoyas, "God bless 'em, they've been lucky," adding, "but they do it with class."

The excitement at Verizon Center was matched in Richmond as George Mason advanced to its second NCAA tournament in three years, winning the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, with Coach Jim Larranaga exclaiming after Monday night's victory over William & Mary, "March Madness is magical." Such euphoria was not shared by Gary Williams, whose 18-14 Terrapins lost six of their last eight and were bounced from the ACC tournament in the first round by Boston College. Virginia suffered a similar fate.

A Cruel Day on Ice

Mark Slebrch was waiting with his wife and son last Sunday for the Orange Line train from Metro Center to Virginia. Although living in the area for the past 30 years, Mark wore a Penguins jersey -- as did many fans in the crowd of 17,277 -- and was pumped with his team's 3-2 victory over the Capitals.

"Why the Pens sweater?" I asked.

"Grew up in Pittsburgh," Mark said. "I like the Caps' players but not their owner. Not since he [Leonsis] blocked out the sale of playoff tickets [in 2001 at Verizon Center] to the Pittsburgh area."

"You hold a grudge a long time," I noted.

"I do," he replied.

Nevertheless, the Pens fans, as well as the growing number of vocal Capitals fans, were hyped by the Alex Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby matchup, providing Verizon Center an energy for hockey rarely seen here since the Caps' Stanley Cup run 10 years ago. That Caps rookie Nicklas Backstrom inexplicably rammed the puck into his own net with 28 second remaining in the game, giving the Pens the winning goal, did not detract from the excitement.

"I don't know how it could happen," said Backstrom, 20, two days later. Leonsis, meanwhile, responded with a hug for Backstrom, adding, "The kid is going to win 100 games for me in his career."

Nice touch by Leonsis, who might have even softened Slebrch's views.

Have a comment or question? Reach me at talkback@washpost.com.