Butler can talk all he wants, he was moving back and had no one holding him back. I think he is posturizing but he was afraid of Smart and his actions reflect that.
That said, Smart got the ball stolen from him and was acting like a baby. Butler didn't foul him imo.
He absolutely fouled him in not allowing him to move forward and turned him so Canaan ( who reminds of Dellavedova who played the Cavs) could steal the ball. Canaan is a dirty player and was getting away with murder and almost getting star level no calls. The NBA likes to promote a scrub every series I guess to make a story.
Babies rarely give someone a forearm to the chest. Marcus did it right to his face. Maybe he should not have but talk aside you can bet Butler did not want a piece of him. The moving backwards told you all you need to know.
Butler was homeless as a kid. Just thought you people should know this. They're both tough. Butler went about it the wrong way because it doesn't matter if someone has had a rough upbringing. This is basketball and what happens in the hood isn't right, or something to be proud of. Instead it should be frowned upon so kids like Marcus Smart can make it through and be a success.
Since when is being homeless a measure of toughness? Dumpster diving makes a man, eh? Most of these guys are posers who can't throw a punch, they are basketball players not tough guys. There have been some legit tough guys in the NBA but not the majority.