Portland Trailblazers: Billups to be new head coach amid controversy
What Billups brings to the table
A winning pedigree
Chauncey Billups is an NBA champion. He got a ring with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and was the Finals MVP. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, and what was important to me is that he was a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Billups has won the NBA’s Sportsmanship award (2009) and the NBA Teammate of the Year award (2013).
That is all wonderful but is it a formula for success? The Blazers were 29th in defense out of the 30 teams. But, according to Mr. Olshey, that is all the Blazers need to win a championship. He is a little misguided. The Portland Trailblazers also need someone(s) around Lillard to win.
Familiarity
Neil Olshey has known Chauncey since 2011. That’s when he saved him from the New York Knicks. Instead, Billups played with the Clippers for two seasons. According to Olshey, Billups is “one of the best leaders he has ever encountered in the NBA.”
Billups also has a long-standing relationship with the team’s superstar Damian Lillard. The hardest part of any coaching job is how well the coach gets along with the star player. Billups should have that covered. They talked throughout the entire search process.
Leadership
Everything I’ve researched states Chauncey Billups was the type of player who had all ears in the locker room. He soothed all the tension, broke up all the fights. That is a wonderful trait to have, but it won’t win championships.
The first on my list of assistant coaches, I felt he should have been given a chance to coach. I’m tired of the same old recycled coaches, going from team to team. There are new players in the league. They need new leadership. No more “super teams” and doing things the same old way. Not to say that he will shake up the league, but it’s time to take a chance and see.