Before Mark Cuban’s Verdict, Potential Career-Ending Injury Left NBA Veteran Pleading for Last Request

Caron Butler showed respect for Mark Cuban’s kind gesture after his serious injury. The retired NBA player missed the Mavericks 2011 championship run due to knee issues. Nevertheless, the impact of that blow and, subsequently, one of his requests left a deep impression on his former teammates. Moreover, this might have fueled the Mavs’ spirits as they went on to win against the Lakers. During his appearance on Udonis Haslem’s podcast, The OGs, Butler detailed his experience of rupturing his patellar tendon during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

His kneecap was dislocated and moved up toward his thigh. While the doctor suggested that he use a wheelchair, Butler hesitated. He requested that he couldn’t use a wheelchair because his grandmother, kids, and entire family were present in the arena. Despite being in so much pain, he decided to walk on his own to get out of the arena as his Mavs squad watched in mixed awe and shock.

“I had everybody in attendance, but my mom, my family, all my kids was there, and I just couldn’t allow myself to get, you know, taken off in a wheelchair or something like that, you know, so man, lord, I had to come into double effect; I had to 10x that and just, you know, walk off the court,” Caron said in The OG’s Show.

It’s not the competition but the fear of career-ending injuries that has always haunted players. Butler recalled how, after examining his injury, the doctors feared that he wouldn’t be able to return to the court. However, he was confident in his ability to get back in the league. With a little push from the Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, he even began his rehabilitation journey.

Mark Cuban had faith in Caron Butler

The Mavericks’ coach, owner, and his squad refused to let go of the champ. Butler was close to his contract expiring, and that opportunity could have been used by the Mavericks to replace him with another healthy, better player. However, it was Cuban and the president of basketball operations, Donnie Nelson, who decided against it and encouraged him to concentrate on his recovery process.

“Mark Cuban told me like you’re not going nowhere, I’m not going to wave you, or like, you’re staying a part of this team, so that meant a lot too, so big shout out to him,” Caron said about Mark. While he did return to the league and played for five more seasons, Butler’s injury slowed him down. He was one of the key players that impacted the team both on and off the court, and the Mavericks couldn’t afford to lose him. Nevertheless, his dedication ended up inspiring the Mavericks.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.