They played at that pace for an extended part of the season, going 16-26, then 21-32, then 25-36. Four-game losing streaks were common back then, the close losses as well as the blowouts, such as a 20-point loss to the Knicks which was followed by a 29-point drubbing against the same team three days later.
"I talk to my brother all the time and he was worried, I can be pretty negative," he said, referring to his brother Jeff, then coach of the Houston Rockets. "And he was worried about me being depressed, but I kept saying to him all year, I don't know there's just something about this team."
Similar to this bunch, the Heat was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league, averaging 87 points per game. The Pistons still haven't cracked 100 points; they're one of three teams not yet scoring in triple figures (New York and Oklahoma City).
Butler said Van Gundy's message never wavered, which he considered somewhat remarkable given Van Gundy's novice status at that time, and he sees parallels here.
"It's gonna take consistency because he's gonna practice it and teach it," Butler said. "But it's gonna take consistency from us as a whole, buying into it. Once you get the results and start believing, and coming with the disposition early, doing all those right things early, then it'll be more receptive in the locker room."
The three-hour practices Van Gundy puts this team through now are a direct result of his predecessor doing the same thing.
"I don't know if it's going to be the first week the first month whatever it is; maybe it's February or March," Van Gundy said. "But if you hang with it and you're a great practice team in terms of effort and concentration that you'll end up being a good team."
Butler believes it's on the players to adjust — just like they did in Miami.
"You have to understand that you create habits, whether good or bad, you have to stay the course," Butler said. "It doesn't happen overnight. It don't happen like that. I see the improvement. If I didn't, I'd tell you. I see the improvement and guys buying in, and understanding. Guys are trying to make (defensive) rotations, instead of being on film and saying, "He got blown by, it's not my coverage.' "
It didn't happen overnight in Miami, as the long losing streaks put the Heat in line for another lottery appearance before getting hot down the stretch. The Heat began to score, averaging nearly 97 points after the All-Star break — and keep in mind the league average for scoring was under 94 points per game.
The Heat went on a three-game streak, then won seven in a row to pull to 35-37 before finishing the season with a 42-40 record after winning seven of the last nine games.
Butler was one of the keys, averaging 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, and in the playoffs, Wade took over as the Heat beat New Orleans (then in the Eastern Conference) an gave top-seeded Indiana a six-game scare before bowing out.
"When playing hard, playing the right way, we were right there. That was encouraging," Butler said.
Butler said Van Gundy tried to be softer and gentler with this young team this time around, but that approach was short-lived.
"He was a little calmer than I expected for the first three games of the season," Butler said. "Now he's back to the guy I know. Yelling and marching. He's back like he never left."
"He had three games like 'I'm not gonna yell, I'm not gonna' (scream). Now he's back."
Van Gundy's often dour presentation aside, Butler believes his coach sees the positive steps — he just hopes they can recapture a little magic despite the slow start.
"He's got more basketball years than I do. Whether you see it more than you like, but it's coming. It's growth," Butler said.
Pistons at Wizards
Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
TV/radio: FSD/105.1 FM
Outlook: Pistons F Caron Butler spent 2005-10 as a member of the Wizards. ...Wizards G John Wall is averaging 19 points and 8.7 assists.