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Billups making a difference from the bench

“I told Chaunce he’s got to stop being selfish again and come on the road with us too,” Paul said. “It’s no secret; we are undefeated when he’s there.”

Paul has a plan for how this could work. He knows Billups can’t fly after undergoing surgery on his Achilles’ tendon because of the need to keep the swelling down.

But two words get around all of that: Go Greyhound.

Billups laughed when he was told Paul wants him to bus to Dallas, Sacramento, Memphis and the rest of the Clippers’ road destinations, but he was dead serious when he talked about what his role will be in the postseason.

“I’ll go. I’ll be there,” Billups said. “In the postseason, I’ll put my schedule to the side and come and help the team.”

It might just be a coincidence, but the numbers are starting to back it up. The Clippers have won all five games they have played with Billups on the bench.

“I hope that I bring a good energy around the team,” he said. “I try my best to be vocal and help, but obviously, I can’t play. I think I bring a good energy around and help the camaraderie and the looseness. That’s a part of leadership.”

Dan Woike, Orange County Register

DeAndre Jordan says Clippers can handle higher expectations

DeAndre Jordan stood before the assembled media after the Clippers' victory Wednesday night, with an edginess in his tone.

The Clippers had just won their third consecutive game, following a three-game losing streak, and Jordan felt compelled to admonish the media because of their doomsday articles about his team.

"Last year when we lost a couple of games, you all didn't care, you know what I mean?" Jordan said after the 103-86 victory over Phoenix. "So now that there's a bandwagon, there's higher expectations, which we understand and that's fine."

"Our team's strong," said Jordan, who tweaked his right ankle against the Suns but it not expected to miss any action. "We have a lot of young guys on our team who are still learning to play with each other. ... We're still jelling.

Guard Chris Paul noted that the Clippers have been playing with a new sense of urgency.

It was suggested to Jordan that perhaps they have turned the corner.

"We're just playing good basketball right now, that's all," Jordan said. "We went through a tough couple of games and it just started to turn around for us here a little bit. Our second unit is giving us some great minutes.

"We are not trying to let teams stick around because that's how we lost a lot of games early in the season."

Brad Turner, LA Times

Chauncey Billups' sage advice helps inspire Clippers

The savvy veteran sits next to the coaches, watching his teammates with the sharp eye of a player who has been in the league for 14 seasons.

When a man is subbed out, he often pulls him aside and offers words of advice. He has told Chris Paul to be more aggressive. He has advised Randy Foye on when to shoot.

His suggestions seem to be working.

Wednesday marked the fifth game that Billups has attended since suffering a season-ending Achilles' injury early February. With Billups in his new seat, the Clippers are 5-0.

The players don't think that's a coincidence.

Clippers assistant coach Robert Pack said that Billups is an incredible asset because his words resonate with the players.

"Not that they're not listening [to us], but it's a teammate," Pack said of the Billups. "It's a guy who's right there in the trenches with them and even though he's hurt right now, they started the season, they played with him, they battled with him, and him just giving little words of wisdom is definitely well-received."

Billups, who is currently rehabilitating his Achilles' for two hours each day, said that helping his teammates from the bench is "different."

"I just do the best that I can," he said. "It just hurts to not really be out there."

Melissa Rohlin, LA Times

mj_shoefanatic wrote:Chauncey has to return next season as player/coach so we can make the playoffs(again) next year.

TheNewEra wrote:really wish he could make it to the game tonight any chance we can get him on a big laptop on Skype to travel with the team lol

kombayn wrote:I think it helps to have him on the sidelines, who knows, Chauncey may have backed up Vinny Del Negro and the staff after they lost those 3 games. I have to say though, the Clippers as a team, coaching staff and locker-room as a whole over the home-stand and last game that they're for real. Now we get this win against the Lakers tomorrow and in convincing fashion, we have nothing to lose at this point and the confidence along with trust for the whole team & organization will be there for the playoffs.