James White and Jackie Butler Interviews

[timvp]

From Slam published on the 13th.

SLAM: How’s everything going?

JW: Good. Being here is really a blessing in disguise. Even though I’m not playing, I’m on a team with a lot of veteran guys. A lot of guys that have been to this point before. Looking at their poise and looking how they’re carrying themselves, I’m just learning stuff from them everyday.

SLAM: What other things basketball-wise, maybe Pop or the GM or whoever wants you to be working on now, so that if you’re here next year you’re out there playing…

JW: For me to be able to be out there in a situation like this, they’ve gotta be able to trust me on the defensive end. That’s probably the biggest thing. Being able to go out there and being in the right spots at the right times and do the right things so they can trust me. If they had the trust in me right now, I’m sure I’d be out there. It’s hard for them to put a rookie out there in a big-time situation like that when they haven’t played all year.

SLAM: What’s it like as a rookie with this franchise? Everyone looks at it as such a veteran team, with a lot of guys that have been here for a long time. Are they accepting?

JW: Since I’ve been here, and I came kind of in the middle, they were accepting with open arms. Everyone thinks this is kind of like a boring team and stuff like that, but we have a lot of guys that have fun. Everybody is pretty open-minded. Everybody is fun and a good guy. Guys like Bruce Bowen, one of my best friends on the team. They pretty much just welcomed me with open arms.

SLAM: You’ve been with them since when?

JW: I’ve been with them since the second game of the season. Actually, the first game was against Cleveland. They took me off waivers and the first time I was here they were playing Cleveland. I came in the middle and I didn’t know the plays. It was gonna take awhile to get into the system. Then they sent me down to the D-League, played well in the D-League, then came back up and I didn’t really get to play until the end of the season.

SLAM: I know everyone complains about the dunk contest, especially our readers, who know a thing or two about what you can do. They were like, “Why wasn’t James in it?” Did the NBA talk to you at all?

JW: I was on an NBA roster the whole time, but I was in the D-League when they picked the contestants. Still, I was trying to kind of pe ion to get into it.

SLAM: But you woulda’ been there if you’d gotten invited?

JW: Oh, no doubt about it!

SLAM: And you would’ve won?

JW: Oh, that would’ve been an easy victory! Easy victory. I’ve still got stuff in the bag. Everybody knows my stuff from high school. In high school and college contests I busted some stuff out the of bag, but I’ve got even more stuff I’ve been saving my whole life that I will only break out on the center stage of an NBA Dunk Contest. I’ve got unbelievable stuff.

SLAM: And do your teammates know about you? Do you dunk a lot in practice and stuff?

JW: Oh yeah, they know it. I had about eight dunks this year in four games. I hope the NBA can get me in next year and show everybody what’s going on.

SLAM: How about the summer? Will you play for the Spurs?

JW: Yeah, I’m playing in both of the summer leagues. Las Vegas and Salt Lake.

SLAM: Then do you stay around here or do you go back to your place in DC?

JW: At the end of this season, I’m gonna go home and get like two weeks rest, then come back and I’ll probably be here for most of the summer.

SLAM: I don’t know if you know the numbers, but if you guys win you get a nice little check. Not to mention a ring.

JW: And I can’t be mad about that. I get the best seat in the house, get to be around great guys, learn everyday, be around basketball everyday and get a check doing it. And get a ring? I can’t be mad about it.

SLAM: This series doesn’t seem like much of a test, but that Suns series had to be pretty intense. What was it like when Robert had that foul on Steve? This place must’ve been going crazy in the middle of all that.

JW: This place is electrifying. This town, period, is pretty crazy. After the game, people go out on the streets and cheer.

SLAM: You got some attention last summer when you signed that free agent deal, but then they didn’t use you too much. On the upside, you made the Finals—how would you describe the experience?

JB: It’s good, man. First time in the Finals, just gotta sit back and watch, then come back next year and see what I can do.

SLAM: How do you take advantage of this time? Is the extra practice like a gift?

JB: Right, a gift to get my game. Staying in the gym everyday and working hard and playing with the best guys. And hopefully I’ll be playing next year.

SLAM: Is that the at ude of all the bench guys? That this as a good opportunity to keep working on your games with the team?

JB: Yeah, it’s good. Even the days I have off I go to the gym and work and do the little things while the team is getting rest and go to the gym and work on my game.

SLAM [Lang jumped in here]: Somebody emailed me today and asked me about your beard. You look like you’re from Philly.

JB: I’m from Mississippi. I was gonna cut it but we were two (wins) away. But I trim it a little bit, I keep it down. I don’t want to get too wild, so I keep it nice and trimmed.

SLAM: Have you ever had it like that before?

JB: Naah, first time.

SLAM: It’s totally the Philly look. Like Freeway. Where are you from in Mississippi?

JB: I’m from McComb, Mississippi.

SLAM: Do you ever cross paths with Monta Ellis?

JB: Oh yeah, I played him in high school a couple of times. He was tough, but we had a good team so they were close to all the recruits and stuff. They had all the good players. If his coach hadn’t done all that recruiting…

SLAM: Yeah, I hear his coach is really intense—Thomas Billups. I don’t think he and Monta talk anymore.

How about Jonathan Bender?

JB: I think he’s just chilling. I guess he’s retired now?

SLAM: Yeah, that’s why we want to talk to him. It’s nice he got a lot of money, but I’m sure it’s hard for him that he can’t be out playing.

JB: I feel bad myself. You can’t play that game that you love. I know what he’s going through, but it ain’t all about the money.

[ChumpDumper]

"I am NOT from Philly, dumbass!"

[Mr. Body]

The White interview impressed me the first time I read it. I like his at ude.

[T Park]

i thought they both sounded interesting.

[mVp]

The White interview impressed me the first time I read it. I like his at ude.

same here

[Kori Ellis]

They both sound like they worked hard this year.

But I wouldn't be shocked if JW isn't in training camp if they find some other prospects this summer.

And I wouldn't be surprised if JB gets traded if that's what it takes to get rid of some dead weight contracts.

[spurscenter]

JAMES WHITE is gonna be a star.

[Mr. Body]

JAMES WHITE is gonna be a star.

[whottt]

They both sound like they worked hard this year.

But I wouldn't be shocked if JW isn't in training camp if they find some other prospects this summer.

And I wouldn't be surprised if JB gets traded if that's what it takes to get rid of some dead weight contracts.

Why do you think that about White?

[Kori Ellis]

Why do you think that about White?

Because there might be better/more proven players available. Who knows.

[whottt]

Any one specific you think they might be interested in?


Seems like they like White to me...but then again I can never tell who the Spurs like.

[mikekim]

All I want is for James White to represent the Spurs in the dunk contest...

then, and only then, can he leave if he doesn't fit our team.

[J.T.]

I think RC and Pop know that the team is getting older, and keeping guys like White and Butler around...and these two guys seem like they are learning a lot and at least doing well in practice. Bowen gave White some props at the Alamodome ceremony and Jackie got some too. I am not saying White will be our next Bruce Bowen, but it's not a bad thing that he is Bruce's practice . He's probably learned a lot of stuff playing with Bruce in practice every day.

These two guys are young and have pretty good potential, IMO. Their downside is that they haven't proven they can play Spurs basketball. I'm sure after being with the team during a le run, they'll be motivated to do well in summer league and camp, and be back in November to help defend.

I do think that the 10 in the rotation this year will all be back. Finley was very proud to finally win a championship, he will definitely come back and help defend it. Fabricio did bat awesome in the playoffs, and while everyone else was talking about the Phoenix suspensions, Deron Williams elevating to star status, and Lebron, they missed Oberto go from a shaky rookie to a fundamentally sound, agressive big man. He was a huge factor for the Spurs.

We're in pretty good shape with what we have, although this was an extremely healthy year for our guys considering most of them are over 30. Anything can happen, but I think giving Butler and White some minutes this year to feel them out and see how they can play with the other guys. There's potential for everyone on the current roster but Beno to contribute to this team, even in the playoffs.

And there's also what we'll do with our draft picks...but we'll probably ship em to the D-League.

[Bruno]

Guys like Bruce Bowen, one of my best friends on the team.

Let's hope Bruce will take White under his wing this summer. White has all the physical tools to be a great defender and Bruce could be a great mentor for him.

[Texas_Ranger]

I hope White will become the 2008 slam dunk champion.

[whottt]

Let's hope Bruce will take White under his wing this summer. White has all the physical tools to be a great defender and Bruce could be a great mentor for him.

Bruce said White makes him look bad in practice and causes the coaches to get on him...

Hearing stuff like that is what makes me think White is in the Spurs plans for this next season, at least. Basically he's got a year invested in our system, and I think that's important to Pop.

I've seen the Spurs give up on guys I thought they were interested in, like Linton Johnson, but I haven't seen any of those guys look as good as White did, as a rookie no less, in limited PT, after such a small amount of time with the team.


And White looked good to me in the limited PT he got this season...

One thing is for sure...after a year of being d'ed up on in practice by Bruce...it's going to take a lot for a defender to get under White's skin.

[timvp]

His fellow Spurs teammates have given James White the nickname "Queen James".

[spurs1990]

I do think that the 10 in the rotation this year will all be back.

Parker
Ginobili
Bowen
Duncan
Oberto
Vaughn
Finley
Barry
Horry
Elson

I'm worried about this group...we can't expect these guys to be injury free and get through an even tougher WC playoffs next year.

I really hope Pop puts some youth into that rotation, regardless of them being defending champs. I mean, if anything, the players they add will be gain experience for the 2009 (inevitable) ring.

[BigBeezie]

Butler said he keeps his beard trimmed.

[boutons_]

White is one relaxed, y guy. Confidence shouldn't be a problem. I like what I hear.

For all his jumping athleticism, I didn't find him to be very fleet and light of foot. In track-and-field terms, he's more of field type than a track type, whereas a guy like LeBron is full-blown track-AND-field guy (and a power lifter!)

How many guy would die to be in their position, with the Spurs holding the door open to them? Do they have the mentality to walk through it?

[Soul_Patch]

The only thing that worries me about white is his maturity.

I see him as a fame and fortune type of guy, sorta like sjax.


hopefully im wrong, as i think he would bring a lot of nice things to the table for us.

[Soul_Patch]

JW: And I can’t be mad about that. I get the best seat in the house, get to be around great guys, learn everyday, be around basketball everyday and get a check doing it. And get a ring? I can’t be mad about it.

Seriously what a job. He basically gets court side season tickets, both home and away. A fat ass pay check, and gets to play ball everyday for a living.


Please someone help me grow about 6 inches and drop about 30lbs. Id ride the pine for the rest of my life for about 100k a year

[medstudent]

White's interview was extremely impressive, and so were his flashes of pure scoring in the regular season.

In response to boutons, you're right. He doesn't look to be blazing fast, but I think White will be someone who has a '05 Ginobili quality to him in that he attacks and just wills the ball in the hole.

They both live by the same motto, " Take it strong to the hole, or dont take it at all."

[Mr. Body]

In response to boutons, you're right. He doesn't look to be blazing fast, but I think White will be someone who has a '05 Ginobili quality to him in that he attacks and just wills the ball in the hole.

They both live by the same motto, " Take it strong to the hole, or dont take it at all."

Disagree, actually. One of the knocks on White in his career is that he shies away from physical contact, a result of his skinniness and physical weakness. As a consequence, he doesn't use his athleticism to his advantage in half court sets. Perhaps that changes in the pros - the Oberto lob dunk and his drive on Barnes, when Barnes shivered him into the stands - were both in the half court where contact was possible.

But to compare him to Ginobili's fearlessness isn't quite true to the point.

[AFBlue]

Disagree, actually. One of the knocks on White in his career is that he shies away from physical contact, a result of his skinniness and physical weakness. As a consequence, he doesn't use his athleticism to his advantage in half court sets. Perhaps that changes in the pros - the Oberto lob dunk and his drive on Barnes, when Barnes shivered him into the stands - were both in the half court where contact was possible.

But to compare him to Ginobili's fearlessness isn't quite true to the point.

White seemed to show alot of aggressiveness when given the opportunity late in the season, so I think you can start to phase out the "shies from contact" label....though I agree that putting him on par with Ginobili is a little bit out there.