Chauncey Billups out for season with torn Achilles Tendon

[og15]

Billups wanted to be in Miami, you stabbed him in the back, and ruined his career with your curses. nice job clippers mgmt

So hypothetically, let's say he went to Miami, and he also got injured in Miami, who's fault would that be?

...and is a guys career really "ruined" when he finishes it at the age of 35? Hmmm...food for thought.

[mike3]

Why is this guy so respected? This is why.. Chaaaauncey is determined to not call it a career. Love his attitude

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
Billups to Yahoo! on Achilles injury: "This has been the story of my career: coming back, fighting, scrapping... I will play again.”

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Obviously most of us have heard the news that Billups is out for the season and maybe done for his career. I've always enjoyed Billups as a player and early in his career I always hoped that he would find himself. He's been a great addition to the team this year and is wish his season and maybe career didn't have to end this way. I hope that he still stays around the team and coaches/rallies our guys in practice and in games.

Billups wanted to be in Miami, you stabbed him in the back, and ruined his career with your curses. nice job clippers mgmt

First of all the comment is totally unnecessary. We stabbed him in the back for signing him? OK???
Second let's say the Heat or any other team did wind up with Billups instead of us. Who's to say that this still wouldn't have happened. All Chauncey did was shoot a shot and then try to get back on defense. This could have easily happened in practice or in another game. I hate that this happened to a great guy but you can't blame this injury on anyone.

[RiversideClips]

Chauncey was happy to be here. Let's not forget that if he stays or comes to L.A. during rehab, he willbe a coach for the young guys.
Good Luck in rehab! Chauncey is a real pro, now Clips/ go win him a Championship like Dallas won for Caron!!

[Kyle]

Gotta win a ring for Chauncey. People gotta step up. Lets get it done!

[playaloc916]

Man, this is sad. While his shooting may not have been great overall, he has come up big for us many times. And having a winner like him on the team, you could tell he was changing the culture of this squad. I wish him a speedy recovery, and hope he can still come back next season, even if it's not with us.

[cubd8]

Randy Foye - you're up.

[mkwest]

Chauncey Billups vows to return from injury

“I will be back,” Billups told Yahoo! Sports by phone. “I’m not done. I’m not retiring. I will definitely be back. This has been the story of my career, coming back, fighting, scrapping and I will play again.”

“I knew when I went down and tried to get up – and I couldn’t feel anything – that this was bad,” Billups said. “I had never felt anything like that before. It was completely non-impact. Nobody hit me. Nobody kicked me. Nobody was around. …I’m probably still in a little bit of shock over this.”

Billups has spoken with doctors who have told him a rehabilitation period of six to nine months is possible. He’s resolved that his illustrious career won’t end with this injury. He plans to reach out to several athletes who have suffered the Achilles injury – including Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins and David Beckham – to gather information and advice.

“I’ve talked to a couple different doctors, gotten some opinions and I’m going to get a couple of more,” Billups said. “This injury is not what it was 10 or 12 years ago. It’s not an easy injury, but it’s gotten a lot better and easier to come back from. I’m telling you: I will definitely be back.”

“I’m focusing in a major way on coming back, and, without a doubt, my career is not over. You will see me again,” he said. “I know that. You will see me playing again.”

Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

Chauncey Billups is done for the season

"No, sir. There is no way I'm going to crawl out of the league," Billups said Tuesday. "I'm going to be back. Trust me."

His contract with the Clippers runs out after this season. Billups said he wants to return to the Clippers — if the feeling is mutual.

"I've really enjoyed it," Billups said. "The movement that the team has going on, it's fun and I love it. Obviously I feel like there some unfinished business there. Of course they've got to move on without me and try to replace me. I respect that too.

"And I'll be around. It's not like I'll be gone."

"I feel sick for him," Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said of Billups. "He brings so many intangibles, so much leadership. I feel terrible for him."

"Right now, it's still kind of surreal," Paul said Tuesday. "I've been through a tough injury before. It's crazy because this is almost tougher [for me] than my own injury."

"It's just because of the connection that I have with Chauncey," Paul said. "I know how much he loves to play and I know that he's easily the best backcourt player, teammate that I've ever played with."

Del Negro said that Randy Foye will start in place of Billups at shooting guard Wednesday night against the Cavaliers, and that Mo Williams will continue to come off the bench.

"Now they are going to need me more than ever," Foye said. "I'm ready."

Brad Turner, LA Times

Toughest day to date for me as an NBA player losing the best backcourt mate I've ever played with, my big bro, and gr8 teammate C. Billups...I know they say everything happens for a reason but I'm having a hard time understanding this one...what he did for our team is immeasurable...Its not ideal but for the time being I'll have to settle for my son running around the house yelling "CHAUNCEY B-B-BILLUPS for 3!!!" Plz keep him and his family in your prayers, LOVE that guy!

Chris Paul

[Shem]

Big blow to your team. Sad to hear the news!

[TheNewEra]

Billups work hard and we can probably use him off the bench behind Paul maybe be limited hopefully Bledsoe can be the priority back up PG with Mo gone and Billups can fill little holes

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I ruptured my Achilles 4 years ago.

Chauncey probably has no idea how hard and long the recovery period is, and how great the chance of re-rupture is. If he does come back he will never recover to be what he was. I stopped playing pickup games and to this day don't sprint all out because I never want to experience that pain again. I was on crutches for four months, and it took about a year-and-a-half to where I was about 90% recovered.

With Billups being 36 or so, I will be very surprised if he can make it back to the NBA. He will not be the same player, barring a miracle.

[mkwest]

I ruptured my Achilles 4 years ago.

Chauncey probably has no idea how hard and long the recovery period is, and how great the chance of re-rupture is. If he does come back he will never recover to be what he was. I stopped playing pickup games and to this day don't sprint all out because I never want to experience that pain again. I was on crutches for four months, and it took about a year-and-a-half to where I was about 90% recovered.

With Billups being 36 or so, I will be very surprised if he can make it back to the NBA. He will not be the same player, barring a miracle.

My initial thought was that he's probably played his last game. I know that it is difficult for any player to come back and resume where they left off. As Clipper fans, we've had a little experience in the past with players that came back from ruptured Achilles injuries, but they were younger.

I think that his determination and drive to not go out this way will benefit him. He could approach this in a defeated state or as an obstacle that he can surpass. I like his attitude about it. He'll know for sure what he wants to do after the surgery is completed and the rehabilitation process has begun. His thoughts may change at that point, but I can't fault him for fighting to overcome.