Watch Chauncey Billups Go Between the Legs to Blake Griffin for the Nasty Finish
The Los Angeles Clippers are still doing their best to overtake the Denver Nuggets for the third seed in the Western Conference, and a flurry of Blake Griffin dunks sprinkled throughout the team’s final two games of the season might just get the job done.
With Chauncey Billups back in the lineup for the first time since March 27, and the Clippers well on their way to an eventual 93-77 blowout victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, Billups threaded a pass between his own legs down to Griffin in some third-quarter action, who had an open lane to the basket.
Chauncey Billups with a gorgeous between the legs dime to a rolling Blake Griffin for the jam. Duh nuh nuh, duh nuh nuh.
— Dime Update (@DimeUpdate) April 17, 2013
Blake Griffin with the one handed jam on the assist from Billups
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) April 17, 2013
Griffin absolutely skied out to throw this one down, getting well above eye level with the rim. It may just be another in the long list of Blake Griffin highlights this season, but Billups’ involvement in the play surely brought a smile to many Clippers fans’ faces.
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Los Angeles Clippers Chauncey Billups out with groin issue
The Los Angeles Clippers will need their entire roster locked and loaded come playoff time.
Once again there is uncertainty hanging over the status of Chauncey Billups.
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Chauncey Billups’ Big Return to Action Proves LA Clippers Still Title Contenders
The Los Angeles Clippers clearly are not the same team without Chris Paul.
With Paul in the lineup, L.A. is 32-11. It’s split the 12 games that he’s missed this season.
But even with a healthy Paul, analysts weren’t sure if this Clippers team could emerge from a deep Western Conference, let alone contend for an NBA championship.
Those concerns have now been eased. And the Clippers can thank 36-year-old Chauncey Billups for that.
The Clippers’ 125-101 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 14 was only his seventh game of the season. After exploding for 19 points in just over 20 minutes against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 13, he erupted for 21 in less than 17 minutes versus the Lakers. He’s buried nine three-pointers in his last two games.
The savvy veteran added yet another dimension to what was already perhaps the most versatile team in the Western Conference.
Coach Vinny Del Negro has a host of backcourt options at his disposal. And all of them are terrifying for the opposition.
Billups brings a shooting threat to spread the floor for Chris Paul penetrations and a distributing touch capable of moving Paul off the ball. Or a calming court presence to complement the talented but raw Eric Bledsoe and a physical, dynamic defensive duo when the two share the floor. He can move Jamal Crawford back to his natural scoring role, giving Del Negro a prolific perimeter threat to open the floor for his twin towers to attack.
While their in-house rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, were busy assembling one of the greatest fantasy basketball rosters in history, the Clippers approached the free-agent market with a clearer sense of reality. They sought out proven, high character veterans like Billups and Grant Hill.
In two seasons, they transformed first from laughable losers to the NBA’s greatest show. Then from highlight reel to championship contenders. Luckily for fans, they haven’t had to sacrifice their aerial assaults for this most recent evolution.
The Clippers’ plus-6.44 scoring differential ranks third best in the NBA. And they haven’t simply fed off the bottom feeders.
Name the contender and the Clippers have probably beaten them. Often decisively.
L.A. has toppled the Memphis Grizzlies (33-18) in both matchups this season, by a combined 35 points. It’s handed the San Antonio Spurs (42-12) two losses, including an 18-point drubbing. It has double-digit wins over the Houston Rockets (29-26), Utah Jazz (30-24), Chicago Bulls (30-22), Denver Nuggets (33-21) and New York Knicks (32-18).
It’s yet to solve the Western Conference’s biggest puzzle, the Oklahoma City Thunder. But it didn’t have Billups in either matchup, and had Paul only once (a six-point loss at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Nov. 21, 2012).
Billups isn’t the biggest piece in the puzzle, but he might be the final one needed to raise a new championship banner inside Staples Center.
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Chauncey Billups returns for Clippers with big pass, win
The veteran guard is not a superstar anymore, but he showed his value vs. the Timberwolves.
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Grading Chauncey Billups’ Return to Action with Clippers
In what many feared to be a career-ending injury at the time, Chauncey Billups tore his left Achilles tendon on February 6, 2012.
But fewer than 10 months later, Billups returned to NBA action in the Los Angeles Clippers‘ 101-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Although he was limited to just over 19 minutes in the contest, his presence on the floor was a welcome sight for a Clippers team that entered the game in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
The Clippers were perhaps better suited for his absence than any other franchise with Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe waiting in the wings. But Billups’ style of play is a nice semblance of the positives that come with each half of L.A.’s reserve backcourt.
For starters, he’s every bit the three-point threat that Crawford is. In fact, he’s an even better shooter. While Crawford has connected on 34.9 percent of his career perimeter attempts, Billups has converted 38.9 percent of his career tries.
He also has the toughness and defensive acumen to fill the role of perimeter defensive stopper that Bledsoe occupied. While the 36-year-old Billups may not have Bledsoe‘s athleticism, he understands how to use his strength to bother opposing guards.
He’s also the best passer of the three. His high basketball IQ allows him to make reads that Crawford and Bledsoe can’t. And his understanding of the importance of each offensive possession allows him more control over his offense.
His presence gives coach Vinny Del Negro yet another ball-handler to initiate his offense and even more possibilities with his guard rotation.
When playing alongside Chris Paul, Billups defers the ball-handling responsibilities and embraces the roles of three-point shooter and defensive stopper. When sharing the floor with Bledsoe, he helps the young guard manage the pace of the game and helps to exploit Bledsoe‘s athleticism. With Crawford, he allows the dynamic scorer to simply worry about his own offense and let Billups be the distributor.
Not to mention the fact that he gives the Clippers yet another closer with a history of taking and making big shots. With him, Paul and Crawford on the floor, defenses can’t key on one (or even two for that matter) of these players because they all possess the requisite talent and temperament to bury a game winner.
But perhaps his biggest contribution to this franchise will be the veteran presence that he will bring to this locker room. While the Clippers added some elder statesmen over the offseason (Crawford, Grant Hill, Lamar Odom), they still rely heavily on Blake Griffin (23 years old), DeAndre Jordan (24) and Bledsoe (23). Billups understands what it takes to command a huddle or a locker room and, unlike Paul, he has the championship resume to back up his words.
His stat line in his 2012-13 debut (seven points and three assists) doesn’t speak to the kind of impact that he will bring this team as the year progresses.
But getting this club back to their early-season winning ways will say more than enough about his importance to these players and this franchise.
Wednesday night’s grade: C+
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Why Chauncey Billups Will Make or Break the L.A. Clippers 2012-13 Season
When you think about the 2012-13 Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups is probably not the first name that comes to mind.
Between the superstar duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, all the shiny new additions to the squad and excitement over the development of young guys like Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan, Billups tends to get lost in the shuffle. Even if he’s not the most buzzworthy guy on the roster, Billups will have just as big a say in how the Clippers fare this season as nearly anyone else on the team.
After revamping the roster in the offseason—particularly the lackluster bench—the Clips have enough depth to comfortably cruise into the playoffs. It’s not until the postseason gets under way that Billups will really have that make-or-break effect on the Clippers.
Why is that? Two reasons.
First, Billups’ calling card has always been as a crunch-time performer. His clutch play has earned him the nickname of Mr. Big Shot, and shots don’t get any bigger than down the stretch of a tight playoff contest. Whereas last season Chris Paul had to literally make everything happen in the last five minutes of playoff games, Chauncey has the confidence and the experience to take some of that pressure off of Paul and create offense on his own.
Billups’ game is exactly what the Clippers lacked last postseason. He’s a dead-eye three-point shooter who can space the floor for Paul, and he’s one of the best in the league at getting to the foul line—a quality that the Clips sorely lacked—where he’s nearly automatic.
His postseason experience dwarfs everyone else on the roster. The fact that Billups is a former Finals MVP lends credibility to everything he says and does. Guys will listen to him on and off the floor, and he can help get his teammates ready for every tough situation they will face in the postseason.
The other reason Billups looms large in L.A.’s playoff picture is the potential matchups the team will draw in the postseason. Looking at the Western Conference right now, the consensus top three teams are the Lakers, Thunder and Spurs. Those teams employ three of the five or six best shooting guards in the NBA in Kobe Bryant, James Harden and Manu Ginobli.
Those are the guys that Billups will be squaring off against night after night come playoff time. And even if the Clippers make it all the way to the Finals, chances are another elite 2-guard will be waiting there in Miami‘s Dwyane Wade.
The shooting guard position is of paramount importance to any team trying to blaze a trail through the postseason, especially in the Western Conference. Billups will be relied upon to compete with—and ideally neutralize—those forces if the Clippers hope to compete for a championship this season.
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Chauncey Billups expects ‘high-spirited’ rivalry in L.A.
The veteran point guard expects the Clippers to again challenge the Lakers for L.A. supremacy.
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Examining How L.A. Clippers Will Fill the Chauncey Billups Void
Expectations have long been tempered for the Los Angeles Clippers. For every great leader, there have been a handful of mediocre role players, thus resulting in consistently heartbreaking failure. Fortunately, the Clippers have designed a rotation that could break that trend.
The heart of the Clippers can be found in their backcourt. With a unique set of four great-to-elite ball-handlers, it is virtually impossible to anticipate their halfcourt set. When you consider that the four guards are Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford, Eric Bledsoe and Chauncey Billups, that task becomes all the more difficult to execute.
Fortunately for opponents, there are a multitude of factors going against the rising Los Angeles squad.
In the 28 years since the franchise relocated to Los Angeles, the Clippers have had just three winning seasons. That’s 25 years with a .500 record or below, equating to an 82 percent failure rate.
Furthermore, the Clippers have never had consecutive winning seasons. They also haven’t made the postseason in back-to-back years since 1992 and ’93. The unfortunate truth is that history is against Los Angeles’ forgotten child.
As we enter modern times, it doesn’t appear to get any better.
According to Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times, the Clippers’ dream backcourt will have to wait. 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups will be out for at least the first two months of the season, as the 35-year-old recovers from surgery on his Achilles tendon.
Billups is still recovering from surgery on his torn left Achilles’ tendon. As for the prospect of his playing on opening night, Oct. 31, Billups said, that is “not going to happen, I’m sure.”
He hasn’t been cleared yet to play five-on-five. But Billups said he expects to take part in limited team drills Saturday and to be playing sometime in December.
“I’m going to listen to my body,” Billups said. “When it tells me I’m ready to get back out there, that’s when I’ll be back out there.”
In order to overcome these overwhelming odds, the Clippers must be able to replace Billups in an adequate manner. Before he returns, the team could play anywhere between 15 and 31 games. In a stacked Western Conference, a slow start cannot be afforded.
With a rough schedule from Day 1, that task becomes all the more difficult to manage.
Fortunately, the Los Angeles Clippers have the manpower to overcome this loss. Jamal Crawford joined the team as a high-profile signing this offseason, while Willie Green was one of the better under-the-radar acquisitions of the summer.
And don’t forget about that Eric Bledsoe guy.
Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford has made his name known as one of the best Sixth Men the NBA has seen. Crawford won the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year award when he averaged 18.0 points per game on 38.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Although that point-per-game number will decrease with such a significant amount of depth on the Clippers’ perimeter, his role within the offense will not.
The former Michigan Wolverine is an exceptional ball-handler who has proven to be one of the better slashers in the game. Crawford’s ability to get to the rim will certainly change the dynamic of the Clippers’ offense, as they lacked a true slashing scorer in 2011-12.
His ability to score off the dribble should alleviate pressure from Paul in terms of facilitating the offense. Should Crawford rediscover his touch from beyond the arc, then the level of performance from fellow shooter Caron Butler should improve accordingly.
This offense will score with efficiency regardless of how Jamal Crawford is able to contribute. Having his scoring in Chauncey Billups’ absence, however, would certainly fill a void.
Willie Green
If you’re unfamiliar with Willie Green, be prepared to witness an offensive weapon.
Green is a 6’3″ shooting guard whose ball-handling skills enable him to run the point when necessary. He finishes well in traffic, has excellent change-of-direction skills and is capable of attacking the basket off of the dribble.
Just don’t think you can step away for separation and positioning, as he’s even more deadly as a jump shooter.
During the 2011-12 regular season, Green shot 44.2 percent from beyond the arc. This came as a result of the nine-year veteran beginning to spot-up for his shots rather than attempting to take every jumper in motion.
With Chris Paul certain to drive-and-dish, Green is likely to take on a similar role in Los Angeles. As long as Chauncey Billups is out, Willie Green should see consistent minutes and contribute in virtually the same way as Billups on the offensive end.
But what about defense?
Eric Bledsoe
If you’re looking for a player to make up for the absence of Chauncey Billups on the defensive end, Eric Bledsoe is your guy.
Bledsoe is an outstanding perimeter defender who blends extraordinary quickness with overwhelming upper body strength and active hands. This resulted in a 3.36 steal per 48 minute rate, which topped teammate Chris Paul for the best mark in the NBA.
His offensive shortcomings hold no bearing once this fact is established. The Kentucky Wildcat’s progression on offense from the regular season to the postseason puts the previous talk to rest.
During the 2012 NBA Playoffs, Eric Bledsoe proved to be more than a statistical anomaly. Instead, he provided a spark to the Clippers that saved them from the Memphis Grizzlies. Bledsoe‘s ability to force turnovers, come up with key baskets and display a consistent motor helped lift the Clippers into the Western Conference Semifinals.
A stage on which he scored 23 points in Game 1 and 17 in Game 4 while matched up against Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. To say that Bledsoe is special is an understatement. To claim that he can replace Chauncey Billups holds truth.
The question is: Will Vinny Del Negro offer him playing time?
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Breaking Down What the L.A. Clippers Need and Expect from Chauncey Billups
Last year when the Clippers lost Chauncey Billups for the season, the team lost not only a leader, but a vital piece of their core. Minus Billups, the Clippers would go on to win only 25 of their last 45 regular season games.
However, a highly contested first-round series would advance the team to the Western Conference semi-finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs would sweep the Clippers in four games, but the Clippers were set up for the future, despite such a harsh ending to such a promising season.
Regardless of the season-ending negativity, veteran guard Chauncey Billups re-signed, and should be a staple in the Clippers lineup. Billups averaged 13 points and 4 assists per game through January, before getting injured for the rest of the season.
Billups’ injury not only decimated the depth chart, but deprived Vinny Del Negro’s rotation a solid starter, only to maintain an average offense which ranked 14th in the league in points per game without him.
However, Chauncey Billups has an opportunity to erase last season’s adventure and lead the Clippers to the top of the Western Conference, thanks to his three-point shooting, leadership and clutch decision making.
While the Clippers finished fifth in the conference, they were games away from locking up home-court advantage. However, despite multiple injuries, including one to Billups, the team faded down the stretch and had to settle for a fifth-place finish.
However, the Clippers need multiple accomplishments from Billups not only to compete in their division, but also to earn a first-round home playoff series.
The first thing Billups must deliver is reliable three-point shooting. Last season the Clippers shot 12th in the league in three-point percentage. However, the additional double teams on Blake Griffin this season should open up more opportunities for guards to attempt open three-pointers. Billups will be counted on, not only to take, but make, a majority of his three-pointers, considering his role in the back court.
Secondly, Billups must remain healthy. Chauncey missed nearly the entire previous season with a torn Achilles. While Chris Paul, is more than capable of running the Clippers offense full time, his backup, Eric Bledsoe, is still young and inexperienced.
Not only is he new to Del Negro’s system, but to the point guard position in general, having started as a two-guard in John Calipari’s offense at Kentucky as a freshman. Despite Bledsoe’s struggles as a point guard at Kentucky, he posted a 22.27 playoff PER, according to ESPN’s John Hollinger’s advanced statistics.
Finally, Billups will be relied upon as a team leader. Billups’ presence was well known throughout the playoffs. While Chris Paul, is widely regarded as the team leader, he still considers Billups, “the best back-court mate I’ve ever played with.”
Billups’ ability to unite the active roster will not only pay dividends, but will allow he and All-Star point guard, Chris Paul, to work as a unit in order to feed Blake Griffin.
However, more importantly, the duo should move the Clippers up the Western Conference standings and allow the Clippers to finally gain home-court advantage in the playoffs.
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Lakers News: Clippers’ Chauncey Billups Not Intimidated by In-City Rivals
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups wants it to be known that he’s not afraid of the big, bad Lakers.
The 35-year-old recently declared, via the Detroit Free Press:
They are trying to stack the deck over there, but I tell you what – I’m very pleased with my team and what we’ve been able to do and I will just say this – don’t nobody scare me, man.”
Billups reportedly even threw in a chuckle at the end.
It makes sense that the five-time All-Star wouldn’t be intimidated by the Lakers. After all, it was his Detroit Pistons in 2004 that knocked out the heavily-favored Lakers, four games to one, in the NBA Finals. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 47 percent from downtown in that series. It marked the end of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant‘s reign together in L.A.
Lakers offseason acquisition Dwight Howard is the new Shaq in town and he will face the same obstacles with Bryant as O’Neal did in 2003-2004. Will the two be able to work together and win a championship or will there be issues about who gets the ball more?
Keep in mind, Real GM reported in February that Bryant told Howard he would have to be the Lakers’ third option on offense if he came to L.A…behind Bryant and Pau Gasol. It was reportedly one of the reasons why Howard was hesitant to join the Lakers.
Bryant and Howard can say whatever they want now that Howard is with the Lakers, but the fact remains, they must show that they can come together down the stretch next season.
Billups knows all about “overrated” teams like the 2003-2004 Lakers. He knows that chemistry must first be established before a team can go on to become NBA champions. It’s part of the reason why the Pistons beat the Lakers in 2004—Bryant and O’Neal’s chemistry had crumbled.
The Big Three of the defending champion Miami Heat—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh—displayed the chemistry last season that they were lacking in their first season together. They had to develop together before their immense talent could bring an NBA title to South Beach.
The Lakers must do the same and Billups knows this. Whether the Lakers’ new pieces—including Steve Nash—come together next season will determine if Billups eats his words or not.
Let’s talk about this on Twitter.
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