With Spotlight on Him, Butler Is Ready to Shine

BARCELONA, Oct. 16 -- Caron Butler was hardly noticed as he and his wife, Andrea, strolled through a downtown shopping district Thursday afternoon here in one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities.

One overzealous shopkeeper, correctly assuming that Butler was an NBA player, worked hard to persuade Andrea to purchase a fur-lined coat. But for the most part, the couple could have been any tourists.

When he was politely interrupted and asked to autograph a Wizards jersey during his lunch of bratwurst -- remember, Butler is from Racine, Wis. -- he cordially penned his name on a Gilbert Arenas jersey and posed for a photo.

Butler has never been to Barcelona before, but he does remember an image of his childhood idol, Michael Jordan, that was taken during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when Jordan and the Dream Team dominated the competition en route to a gold medal.

"Mike was walking in front of one of these buildings and looked up to see that the entire wall was covered by his photo," Butler said. "That was real cool. He was just walking on the street and there he was, covering a whole building. Imagine that."

Butler, who is entering his seventh season, has a long way to go to reach Jordan's iconic status, but he's working on expanding his profile. He is coming off two consecutive all-star appearances and has emerged as one of the top all-around players in the NBA.

Last season, Butler was the only player in the league to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, he posted three triple-doubles and became a fan favorite at Verizon Center, where his jerseys have grown in popularity.

Nike -- the company that helped make Jordan a worldwide star -- has produced a signature Butler shoe, the 3D, and when the Wizards played the New Orleans Hornets in Berlin on Tuesday night, Butler and Hornets point guard Chris Paul received the largest ovations during pregame introductions. (The teams meet again Friday here at Palau Sant Jordi arena.)

With Arenas expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season, Butler and fellow two-time all star forward Antawn Jamison will be counted on to carry the Wizards and provide star power.

It's a role Butler relishes.

"I'm prepared for that," Butler said. "The way I look at it, it's up to Antawn and myself to keep us rolling until Gilbert gets back. I put a lot of expectations on my shoulders."

The team's two-game tour of Europe has provided Butler with a chance to increase his exposure to sports media and basketball-loving fans that follow the NBA overseas.