Auburn Hills — Caron Butler stepped out of the Pistons dressing room following a quick shower and, well, was showered with praise.
"He is one of the good ones," Pistons trainer Mike Abdenour said.
Butler is one of the good guys in the NBA, turning his life around.
Sure, he's here to play basketball and lead — his messages for teammates include keeping the dressing room clean and keeping dressing stalls neat — but there's more to it.
You see, Butler was a drug dealer in his hometown of Racine, Wis., when he was younger. But seeing the pain in his mother's face while he was in the back of a patrol car changed things.
And now, he plans to impart his knowledge and successes on his new teammates.
"I've never been one who was shy to voice my opinion or say what is right is right or what is wrong is wrong," he said. "We are going to hold each other accountable. We are going to police ourselves.
"There are certain things as professionals the coaching staff should not have to talk to us about. You know when you are short-changing yourself."
Turnaround has begun
Teams like the Pistons need guys like Butler. This has been an organization in turmoil, with players getting out of control — on and off the court.
Butler promises that won't happen again.
"We already have that understanding," he said.
The Pistons have been bad — six straight losing seasons with a winning percentage of 39.1. And they are on their seventh coach — Stan Van Gundy — since 2005.
But change began with Van Gundy's arrival.
He wanted some of his former players who understood him and could convey his message on this roster.
Enter Butler, who was part of Van Gundy's 2003-04 Heat team that reached the second round of the playoffs.
"With what Stan Van Gundy is going to implement with the structure of having the same disposition night in and night out with these guys, it is going to be a winning culture," Butler said. "I know with experience."
Help for Drummond
One of the more talented Pistons is Andre Drummond, who wants to take the next step in his game and become a leader.
This might be a little soon for a second-year player, but Butler is here to help him.
"It's going to take some time," Butler said. "You have to be able to lead by example. Seeing is believing and showing is doing. ... You have to lead when things are going well, but most importantly you have to lead when things are bad, when adversity strikes.
"A lot of people splinter when that happens. That is human nature.
"The strong stay in there and stay strong mentally and physically."
Solid words from a veteran leader.
It's something the Pistons were missing for years.
But not anymore.