"Caron Butler not only hopes that he can play in the NBA Finals, but he's confident he could pick up where he left off before rupturing his right patellar tendon on New Year's Day.

"I'd be myself," Butler said. "I'd be myself out there – a guy that can create, do some things on the low post, obviously just make other guys better."

Unfortunately, the Mavs' medical staff doesn't share Butler's optimism. "