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So far this season has been a great ride, but recently we have gotten some very sad news. As many of you may know Chauncey Billups is out for the season, with a torn achilles. Leg muscles are the most powerful muscle group in the body, and the achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. For an athlete it's one of the most devastating injuries, he would of been better off breaking all the fingers on his shooting hand than this, and when you add in Billups age it's almost certain that his career as an NBA pro is likely done.

There is already a thread about his injury, but I wanted to make a seperate one specifically to honor Chauncey, and what he did for us in his short time here, one of the most respected players in the NBA.

I'd like to give my thanks to big shot Billups. After Paul he was our most underrated acquisition. He was a big reason why we got K-Mart. His greatest strength wasn't his basketball skills, but what intangibles he brought to the team. His leadership, and ability for all his teammates to easily like him. The best thing about this season is the comradery this team displays. They are a tight unit, who not only support each other on the court with their skills, but emotionally as well. They really enjoy each others company, have genuine feelings for each other, and Chauncey was right in the center of it all. You could tell how hard it was for Chris to fathom losing Chauncey this season, it was very heart-breaking. I just hope Billups can stay with the organization, we can find some job for him to do, assistant coach maybe? Hell he can't do any worse than Vinny. It would be sad watching him watch the games from the bench, but I know it would mean a lot to our guys to have his moral support.

I'm sure many Clippers fans will never forget this rollercoaster of a game against the Mavs, I almost teared up a bit watching at the end how they all hugged him afterwards, I love our team.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzAjdQ5Pvk[/youtube]


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANK YOU CHAUNCEY BILLUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yall need Kevin Martin

zapatasblood wrote:Yall need Kevin Martin

last i heard he still doesn't know how to play defense?

I was excited when we first claimed him off of waivers. Even before we traded for Paul, I was confident that he could find himself liking the situation that he had been thrust into. In the beginning, the question was how can it work? Billups and Paul are both point guards. The fact of the matter is that it worked far more often than it didn't. There was some uncertainty, but they made it work and he embraced his role and the team. Mentally, the rest of the guys felt more comfortable and confident with him on the floor. He didn't shoot a higher percentage from the field, but was deadly behind the arc and at the free-throw line. In the playoffs, his presence would have meant so much out on the floor. Now, he'll probably be on the sidelines, which can still be beneficial to the team, but it's not quite the same.

He plans to be around the team and they're going to need his presence. The better that the team does, will probably push him to work even harder in his recovery. Even if he doesn't re-sign (assuming that he plays again), having a competitive and positive environment should only help his recovery. His teammates should then in return be motivated by his dedication to rehab. I think there can be a mutual inspiration between he and his teammates despite both fighting for different things.

In 22 games with the club, he has made an impact that should be felt for the rest of the season. He has reminded me so much of Sam Cassell when he was with the organization. This season could still turn out very well, but I just wish that Chauncey have physically (on the court) been a part of what is to come.

He will still be around and depending on what happens he may be back next year it would have to be a role off the bench but I think he would be more understanding of the role with the injury.

TheNewEra wrote:He will still be around and depending on what happens he may be back next year it would have to be a role off the bench but I think he would be more understanding of the role with the injury.

It seems some fans don't understand the severity of it. He can be optimistic all he wants, and it's great that he is. It would seriously take a miracle to see Billups back in uniform. But trust me when I say he will need some type of miracle doctor/rehab.

Edit: Btw, TNE you know theres a poster whose name is "NewEra" , with like close to the number of posts you have, with no avy just like you? I was like "oh it looks like TNE changed his name"

Then I see you here..... lol

Thanks Chauncey. Even though his shot selection was questionable sometimes, I realize how big he was to the team. Hopefully, he'll come back next year!

I feel like CP3 right now......heart-broken over Billups

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxOjVVTD_Yo[/youtube]

Hard to believe a guy that only has been w/ your organization for 20+ games can make that much of an impact. This shows us what organizations,management & players think of Chauncey.
The Clips were fortunate to have him in uniform, hopefully Chauncey will stick around & mentor the young players, especially Bledsoe. Good luck w/ your recovery, you will be missed.

Billups strong character will be missed hopes he goes hard in rehab and come off the bench next year

I already miss Chauncey. He bails us out sometimes on those possessions that are going no where. I'm happy that he came around and embraced his role on the team. Although his time playing with us was short lived I really thank him for what he did. Hopefully he'll spend sometime around the team once we are back in LA.

easiestplayfts wrote:I feel like CP3 right now......heart-broken over Billups

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxOjVVTD_Yo[/youtube]

The thing that sticks out in this video is that Paul said that the organization has been first class .

It's not fair. Not to him, not to the team. I really looking forward to seeing him on the court with the rest of the team in the playoffs. His playoff experience is undeniable. He was having a hard time with the whole amnesty situation, but totally embraced joining this team. I'm not writing us off, but he would made things a lot easier and a lot more promising for us. I don't expect him to travel with the team during the season, but I hope that he's on the sidelines at the home games coaching his teammates. I would love to see him back next year in the NBA period. If that's with us, then I'm all for it.

^ Ah man that is so awesome, I love how tight our team is.

He sure made an impact on Blake's FTs by helping him get a routine at the line. The difference is night and day.

we need chauncey well enough to travel with the team, he is the best coach on our bench VDAA included.

I'm glad to hear that the surgery went well. Get well Chauncey.