For part I of the Caron Butler Interview , click here

H: If you were not a professional basketball player what would Caron Butler be doing?

CB: I would have to say working somewhere like a group home or recreational center. You know working with kids, helping kids and sharing my story. Just trying to be a pillar in the community.

H: So the community is really important to you?

CB: Yes definitely, I have been thru a lot in my life, so I try and get out there and share my story as much as possible. I feel like with the youth today, seeing is really believing. You got a lot of people that will come in and give great speeches and conduct great lectures. But they have not been thru it, after going thru it, after being incarcerated and being out there in the streets and so much, I can identify with the youth.

H: Also real recognize real, so the kids will know.

CB: Yeah that is definitely for real.

H: Besides the travel schedule what would you say is the biggest challenge you face being a husband & father?

CB: Besides travel, time. Outside of being on the road, this is a year round job, training, you don’t get a lot of time to spend with your loved ones and kids. Your such a public figure that everything you do, you are in the spotlight. So it is different.

H: What makes Caron Butler stay so humble amid all the success?

CB: I have a great circle. I was raised right and I know some things aren’t me. I know it is a bigger power, a higher being that made all this possible. So I always praise him. You know I was humbled with injuries early in my career, I remember those days and now I try to lead and be a role model and just be the best professional I can be on and off the court thru that experience.

H: Word is you are blogging, who introduced you to blogging?

CB: First person I ever seen blog was Gilbert, and I thought his stuff was so entertaining but I thought I would do something a little different. His stuff is real funny. I just want people to see a whole other side of me. You know, you see me on the court always serious, I just want to show another side of Caron Butler.

(Caron Butler's blog can be found on www.hoopshype.com)

H: What are some of the things you will be blogging about?

CB: I’m going to be blogging about my team, my life, what I’m going thru, what we are going thru as a unit, what I’m doing in my free time, whenever I get any. Everything you know, it is the real Tough-Juice, Uncut Juice.

H: Now when you were growing up if someone told you there would be an NBA player from Racine, Wisconsin would you have believed them?

CB: Never in a million years would I have believed them.

H: How did it feel when you got offered that scholarship to the University of Connecticut?

CB: It felt great, it was like a dream come true. It was one of those situation in which I didn’t really think it would happen. For a school like the University of Connecticut to offer myself a scholarship, obviously I accepted rather quickly. I just knew it was the place for me. You look at some of wings they were putting out Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, and guys like that, I felt it was a great opportunity to follow in there footsteps.

H: I hear in Racine June 8th is Caron Butler day, do I have to go to work that day?

CB: (Laughing) Yeah June 8th is the official Caron Butler day, it is a nice thing. It is a day of service where I try and influence members of the community to go out and be pillars of the community. We do a lot of wonderful things, it is just a day of service, helping out some how, some way.

H: Are there any particular events going on that day?

CB: Yeah definitely, we do cookouts, a lot of social gatherings and I host a charity basketball game back in Racine. It is a big event, that the whole town supports, and I mean it is huge.

H: What's up with Team Takeover?

CB: Team Takeover is out of DC and is my 16 and under AAU squad, there have been taking over everywhere they go, they are holding it down. They are doing a great job and it has been great to be part of that. While I was looking around for teams that I could help and try to inspire and have a hands on commitment with. Coach Stevens said to me he has a great team, a great group of kids that need some help and it would be great if I could head up there and touch them. I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something special. I always wanted to get involved with AAU so what better time then now.

H: Do you ever get on the court and go up against the kids?

CB: They never call me out, they know what is best for them (laughing). I will step out there.

H: What is your life going to be like for you after basketball?

CB: I think it is going to be fun, I look forward to that, having a lot of free time and spending it with my loved ones. Diversifying my portfolio and doing a lot of other things. But for right now the main focus is winning a title and after that fall back where there are no mosquitoes.

H: If healthy you guys should definitely be in the title hunt the next four or five years with the roster the way it is now.

CB: Definitely, that is the plan

H: Are you on twitter or Facebook?

CB: Nah

H: I asked my twitter followers if they could ask their favorite NBA player a question what it would be. The question is: During the most recent recession how many people have come to Caron Butler for a bailout?

CB: Oh man hundreds.

H: All types of people, or just family and friends?

CB: (laughing) Everything, family, friends, 3rd cousins 8th cousins everybody.

H: So did anyone get a bailout package?

CB: Nah

H: I don’t blame you.

H: Last question; Being a professional athlete and recognizable face, what do you feel is your responsibility to the community overall?

CB: I know my responsibility to the community is to be a role model, obviously to teach. And just to be professional on and off the court. Be a pillar in the community and do as much as I can in the community. Be visible and be seen in the right way, just try and get out there and inspire young folks as much as possible. And you know, I enjoy doing it, I don’t have a problem going out there and talking, you know I’m approachable, you can talk to me, you can touch me, it is not like I’m standoffish. I like getting out there and having interaction with the kids.

H: Thanks for your time Caron, it has been a pleasure.

This interview was conducted by Harold from www.thehoopsforum.com
, you can follow Harold on Twitter www.twitter.com/H_thehoopsforum.com