Published: October 14, 2009
This past weekend Hoops Addict was able to talk with Caron Butler about how great it is to finally have everyone on Washington’s roster healthy again, his goals for the upcoming season, if he’s hungry to be named to the All-Star team this season, the new emphasis he’s put on what kinds of food he consumes and the three coaches the Wizards have had over the past 12 months.
Hoops Addict: This year everybody is back and healthy. How great is it to have everybody back and healthy?
Caron Butler: It’s great to have people back and not be going through the development party anymore. Just to have veteran leadership and guys out there that really understand how to play the game. Guys that know what’s expected of them on a night-to-night basis is great. Getting one of our valuable weapons in Gilbert Arenas, our defensive presence in DeShawn Stevenson and Brendan Haywood, adding in new additions like (WHO) Oberto, Randy Foye and Mike Miller… I think it’s great. I’m just looking forward to this challenge.
Hoops Addict: As a former All-Star, how hungry are you to get back to that level of play?
Butler: I feel like the success of the team is going to determine all of that. I feel like we’re going to be successful as a team and the personal accolades will take care of themselves. But I’ve been in All-Star shape the past three or four years, barring no injuries I’m pretty sure I’ll be back.
Hoops Addict: Talk about your own personal shape for a bit. I understand you changed up your diet this summer by cutting out Mountain Dew and starting to eat breakfast. How has that helped?
Butler: It’s helped out a lot. I just watched what I put into my body because my body is my temple and I’ve got to take care of it. I don’t put garbage in my body anymore. I try to eat as healthy as possible and try to stay away from the sodas and fast food. I think it worked out great for me because I feel better than I ever have.
Hoops Addict: This team has gone through three head coaches over the past 12 months and now you have Flip Saunders at the helm. What is he bringing to this team?
Butler: He’s a new voice. He bring a whole new philosophy and that is probably something that was needed. We’re just anxious to get started and get rolling. Preseason is one thing, but getting down to the nitty gritty of the real season is another and that’s something we look forward to doing.
