Even after victories last season, it was a struggle for Hornets backup shooting guard Rasual Butler to celebrate. He would try to smile, but he often was one of the first players to walk out of the locker room.
At practices, he worked to become a more consistent perimeter shooter. Yet, it was an emerging Julian Wright who caught Coach Byron Scott's attention and got the minutes Butler wanted.
"I thought his attitude was fantastic last year, even when he wasn't playing," Scott said of Butler. "But like most players, you want the team to do well, but you want to be a part of it. It got to that point. More than anything, he wasn't here."
It's a new season, and Butler is back. He appears more driven to earn minutes and thankful he can pursue them, because he says his legal problems are behind him.
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The Hornets explored potential offers to trade Butler before this past February trade deadline, but they could not get a deal completed. Butler did not play in any of the Hornets' 12 playoff games against the Dallas Mavericks or San Antonio Spurs.
"I talked to him a lot this summer, and he seems more focused than he was last year," said starting shooting guard Morris Peterson. "It was tough on him last season, and I kind of went through the same situation when I was in Toronto and not playing a lot. It's always hard, because you want to be out there. I thought he handled everything well, like a pro."
Butler was one of the first players to arrive in New Orleans for volunteer workouts this month. However, it seems unlikely Butler will emerge ahead of Wright at shooting guard or Devin Brown, who is in a battle with Mike James for the backup point guard spot but could receive minutes at shooting guard, too.
"I'm grateful they didn't prejudge me; I think that's a tribute to my character," Butler said. "I really have a good spirit, and I'm a good character person. I think Coach Scott and Jeff know that about me.
"When you have a down year, you really have to change some things up. I just came around early to show people that I was in good spirits and that I was working. I've put last season behind me, but it's something that I'm always going to remember, because it was one of the most empty feelings I have experienced in my life."
