January 18, 2007

Fifth-year NBA veteran Rasual Butler was averaging 11.5 points and shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range in 2006-07 entering Friday’s game at San Antonio.

Kobe Bryant scores 81 points in a Jan. 26, 2006 game against Toronto. Ronald “Flip” Murray ignites the NBA world for the Seattle SuperSonics in the absence of Jesus Shuttlesworth himself, Ray Allen, during the 2004-05 season. Rasheed Wallace wins an NBA title, along with Richard “Rip” Hamilton, in 2004. During all of those moments the feeling was there.

What do all of these events have in common? Each of these NBA occurrences involves a player from the city of Philadelphia, or a surrounding suburb. As a native Philadelphian myself, the feeling that I experienced during these events can be summed up in one thought, “We made it…”

The Hornets’ Rasual Butler knows the same feeling all too well. Growing up in South Philadelphia, like many other urban environments, was a constant struggle, which in many ways influenced his personality and affected his drive to be successful. “If there is any criminal activity that you can think of, it was going on there,” Butler described of his childhood in Philadelphia. “But, my grandfather owned a little variety store in the community and it was across the street from the police station, so that helped because everyone kind of knew who I was and also because I played basketball at a very early age.

“Of course I knew people who had to do what they had to do for their own survival, but it also gave me the opportunity to see the different decisions and paths that I wanted to take in my life.”

Rasual opted for a path that involved hard work and determination in order to hone his talent on the basketball court. He often could be found on the court, day or night, playing against older, stronger and more talented players. One of the people that can be credited for some of Rasual’s success and work ethic is a former teammate and lifelong friend, Donnie Carr, Philadelphia’s all-city and top player in 1996. Donnie was a teammate of Rasual at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, as well as at the city’s La Salle University.

Butler: “(Donnie) had a great work ethic and so did I, so it was really good for me to link up with him at an early age. He helped me get to Roman Catholic. I went to one of his games and the (opposing) team was late. I had a chance to scrimmage for a second, and won myself a scholarship off of the scrimmage.”

Both Rasual and Donnie were determined to make it in the game of basketball, and more importantly the game of life. It is common for people to refer to the city of Philadelphia as the “Home of the Cheesesteak” or the place where Santa Claus was booed, but more and more the harsh realities of what takes place in its urban neighborhoods have come to the forefront. It is that reality that pushed Rasual to do everything in his power to succeed.

Donnie recalls, “We were just two determined young (people). We would go over to the courts in the morning at about eight o’clock when we’d wake up. Summertime, we would go back at three (o’clock), and then we would go back at night. We would play one-on-one full court, with a lot of fierce battles to hone our skills, and it paid off. We both made it. I went overseas to play professionally, and he made it to the NBA. We were just so determined.”

Rasual has exhibited the same determination this season for the Hornets. Butler’s first half of the season was highlighted by a 33-point game against Chicago and 30 points vs. Golden State. The absence of Peja Stojakovic, who missed games due to a disc fragment in his lower back, has left a void for a perimeter threat in the Hornets’ offense, and Butler has been integral in filling that role.

“I think it has a large part to do with me being on the floor more,” Butler said of his increased production. “This is a role that Coach Scott has tried to (prepare) me for, for the past couple years. With Peja going down, it was an opportunity for me to step in and prove again, like I did in the middle and toward the end of last season, that I could start in this league. I am getting effective minutes and I have been assertive. I continue to study a lot. I haven’t changed my routine. I still come early and shoot and still stay late and shoot, and I think that those things have helped me with my success.”

Rasual Butler has shown that he can perform at a high level on this stage. Coming from rigorous South Philly, the bulk of the hard road is already completed. Sadly, it may be the road less traveled for a lot of young men coming out of Philadelphia. But, as a member of the fraternity of those from the City of Brotherly Love, who have been lucky enough to have experienced greener pastures, it is great to see another who is succeeding. The feeling of pride we share is now spilling over to Hornets fans as well, as Rasual Butler continues to play with determination, no matter if it’s eight o’clock, three o’clock, or nightime on a hot summer day in Philly.