LAS VEGAS — This is the other side of NBA nepotism. This is when the door is barely slightly ajar, instead of swung wide open.
So, no, JC Butler is not enjoying the NBA experience of Bronny James this summer. This is the story of being the son of Caron Butler instead of the son of LeBron James.
And in this case, both father, the former Heat forward and current assistant coach, and son, a longshot Heat summer-league prospect out of UC-Irvine, are fine with the opportunity at hand.
At some point this season, you will see Bronny James in the NBA, even with a resume that included a 4.8 scoring average in a single season at Southern Cal.
More than likely you won't be seeing JC Butler, whose four-year college career included a season averaging 6.2 points.
The common bond? Fathers proud of their sons.
Including the father of the longest of the longshots.
"He's doing a hell of a job just finding his way and earning his way through the process, so I'm extremely proud of him," Caron Butler said, as the Heat work through the NBA Summer League on the UNLV campus, including a Friday night game against the Toronto Raptors' summer roster.
Based on the level of competition in college and relatively meager statistics, there is little doubt that a famous father opened a door for JC Butler.
"I try to not really look into it too much," the younger Butler said of this longshot opportunity, "and just control what I can control and make the most of the opportunities that I'm given."
For Bronny James, there is a four-year, $8 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
For JC Butler, there is summer-league per diem.
And a proud father who gets to watch a son pursue a dream.
When the idea of a run with the Heat first was broached, Caron Butler wished his son luck and sent him on his way . . . to an open-call tryout with the G League Sioux Falls Skyforce, as in Sioux Falls, S.D.
"He moved out to Sioux Falls with a lunch-pail mentality, obviously on his own dime, went to try out for the team, eventually making it at the end of the season," Caron Butler explained.
And then his son came back this offseason seeking more.
"He came here early to try out and work out with the summer squad," Caron Butler continued. "Was in Miami for six weeks and then got the nod. Now he's on the roster. So it's been a process for him, so it's something that he's embracing."
Even in its summer form, JC Butler said he can appreciate what his father appreciates about Heat culture.
"For sure," he said. "I can definitely feel the family culture and I definitely appreciate it. From the first day I stepped foot in the arena, it felt like family. Everybody was really welcoming and super helpful and it was a great process."
With no guarantee of playing time, of which there has been precious little through the first two weeks of summer league.
"The dream dies when you stop competing and trying. That's when the dream dies," said Caron Butler, whose own path to the NBA included a climb from a youth reformatory in Wisconsin. "But if you continue to pursue, opportunity will meet preparation at some point. So you just got to stay consistent in that space. That's what he's about and bought into.
"And that's why I'm so proud of him, because he has this dream of, 'This is what I'm going to do.' And it's my job as a dad to see it through for him and be his biggest fan, biggest supporter. And that's what we've been doing as a family, rallying around his efforts and extremely proud of him."
Reaching such heights, particularly the bar set by a father who played in the NBA for 14 years before later moving on to become a Heat assistant coach in 2020, stands as the ultimate challenge.
"It's always been my No. 1 goal and the biggest dream of mine, for sure," JC Butler said. "But that's what we go to school for, to have a backup plan, to have things set up for after basketball, but the NBA has definitely been my No. 1 goal."
And if that means remaining in the Heat's summer program beyond summer league to work out prospects more likely to make the camp roster, so be it.
As it was, the younger Butler was part of the defensive closeout drill this spring at Kaseya Center when Nikola Jovic suffered the ankle injury that put the Olympic hopes of the Heat forward in question.
"Anytime anyone goes down we pray for the best immediately," the younger Butler said of that moment. "It is one of those things that's out of our control. But prayers up for sure and we hope for the best."
As for his own prayers, even a ticket back to Sioux Falls would be embraced.
"I'm from the Midwest, so it was not really too much of a culture shock for me," JC said of his time with the Skyforce. "The environment was great, just hard work. All the guys there were super helpful and super welcoming. I just loved it out there, honestly."
Originally Published: July 19, 2024 at 10:21 a.m.
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