When the Dallas Mavericks’ two-time all-star isn’t driving the lane, he’s riding his way to a trophy.

Interviewed by Corey Seymour

Nicknamed “Tough Juice” by his former coach on the Washington Wizards, Butler, 30, starts his 10th season this month, his second with Mark Cuban’s Mavericks. While cycling has helped Butler stoke that grit, his Bike Brigade program has helped 2,500 kids over the past five years — all of whom have received new wheels.
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Road Rides Versus Trail Rides
I’ve done some mountain-bike trails in Virginia near where I live, but I prefer the road to get my cardio on. I’m good on the hills — I can see the championship trophy at the top of every one of them. I try to stay seated and work on my quads, and it’s helped a lot with my recovery time and my explosiveness.

The Origins of Bike Brigade
A couple of years ago, one of my little cousins’ bikes was stolen right off my grandmother’s porch, and the police said there had been a lot of bike thefts in the neighborhood. I bought a bunch of bikes and got sponsors to partner with me to give them to kids who needed them — and it encourages them to get out and exercise.

Why He Doesn’t Like Cycling in Place
It’s outdoors or nothing for me. Pat Riley had me on stationary bikes all the time when I was a rookie in Miami, and it’s bad memories, man.

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This article originally appeared in the October 2010 issue of Men’s Journal

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