Coming in from the heat

Two unexpected yet welcome developments greeted Rasual Butler as he arrived in his hometown this week:

The foot of snow blanketing the area, and news that a certain football team will soon visit the state he now calls home.

"The Birds are finally in the Super Bowl," said the Miami Heat forward. "I get to come home to that."

Butler, originally of 20th and Manton streets, is living his own pro-sports dream with the Heat, who was in town to play the 76ers on Monday.

Philadelphia beat Miami, 106-98, at the Wachovia Center, but the Heat maintained its number-one spot in the NBA’s Southeast Division with a 30-13 record.

Though not a member of the Heat’s starting lineup, the 6-foot-7 Butler is certainly a team player and made a point of praising a newcomer to the squad.

"Damon Jones has been put in the starting lineup, and he’s done a great job for us," said Butler, a graduate of Roman Catholic High and La Salle University. "I’m happy to see him out there helping us and I’m very comfortable in my role — coming off the bench as a sixth man right now."

As that "sixth man," the athlete said he has boosted the Heat during both lackluster and high-energy games.

"If I could just maintain what they’ve got going on, I’ve done my job," he said.

Butler’s contributions are on the rise. His third season with the Heat has been peppered with career highs, including 52 minutes of court time and seven rebounds in the Nov. 14 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He later tied the rebound high at the Dec. 13 game against the Washington Wizards.

In the Nov. 14 game, Butler attempted 24 field goals, also a career high. The athlete, who made only eight of those field goals, frowned on his performance, but not the experience.

"I didn’t shoot the ball very well, but that was the most attempts I ever made," said Butler, 25. "It was very exciting. It was my first start and the first time I was really in there from beginning to end."

Last season, Butler averaged 1.4 rebounds and 15 minutes in 45 games.

Over the last two seasons, the athlete, who signed on with the Heat in August 2002 and re-signed last July, has racked up 28 career starts, averaging 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 29.8 minutes per game.

Butler’s highlights this season include 18 points scored in the Jan. 14 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The athlete scored nine points in his 17 minutes on the court in Monday’s game. He got his biggest thrill, however, from performing for his loved ones in the crowd.

"I was spoiled with being able to play in front of my family and friends since high school," Butler said. "That’s what I miss most."

At Roman Catholic, the player was selected to the Associated Press’ First Team All-State and Parade Magazine‘s Third Team All-American, as well as being named First Team All-City and All-Catholic.

The 1998 Review Male Athlete of the Year later earned a basketball scholarship to La Salle. Butler graduated in 2002 and is still fourth on La Salle’s all-time scoring list with 2,125 points.

He now shares a locker room and court time with Shaquille O’Neal, who has helped lead the Heat to the top of its division since he left the Lakers last season.

Playing alongside the basketball powerhouse is an experience in itself for Butler, who said he’s amazed by O’Neal’s passion for the game.

"It’s like a dream come true," said Butler, who called his 7-foot-1, 325-pound teammate "dominating."

As the Heat continues to glow, so do Butler’s accomplishments. He said his improving stats are a result of dedication to the game.

"I know I work extra hard, but if you keep telling yourself there’s someone out there working harder, your work ethic will get better," he said. "That’s what keeps me ahead of the game right now."

The athlete had some advice for youngsters playing pickup games on the courts of South Philadelphia.

"Work hard and never allow anyone to tell you what you cannot do," he said.