ImageImageImageImageImage

Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectations

Moderators: og15, TrueLAfan

mkwest
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 26,910
And1: 5,728
Joined: Dec 18, 2005
   

Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectations 

Post#1 » by mkwest » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:28 am

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
mkwest
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 26,910
And1: 5,728
Joined: Dec 18, 2005
   

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#2 » by mkwest » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:23 am

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
User avatar
LOJ
Banned User
Posts: 5,514
And1: 7
Joined: Feb 03, 2011
Location: Santo Domingo, Rep

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#3 » by LOJ » Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:14 pm

I doubt it, but I truly hope next season he can play with us. Billups is such an underrated player, specially his intangibles.

Glad to have him as basically an assistant coach. :rock:
User avatar
thanumba2clippersfan
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 13,689
And1: 700
Joined: Aug 11, 2005
Location: State College, PA
Contact:
     

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#4 » by thanumba2clippersfan » Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:35 pm

I'm also happy that Chauncey has been on the bench giving guys advice. I was hoping he would have gotten to do it earlier. I honestly thought his presence would help the players and give them more confidence.
I've been an LA Clipper fan since 1998 and that will never change. I hate our new logo and jerseys!
800LoanMart
Ballboy
Posts: 22
And1: 0
Joined: Feb 02, 2012

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#5 » by 800LoanMart » Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:43 pm

Billups is a great asset for the Clippers. It's great to see him making some of the games and engaging with the players. 5-0 with Billups on the bench. I hope he has a successful recovery, it's great to see his heart is in the right place too.
1-800LoanMart is an official sponsor of the Los Angeles Clippers. We provide title loans in CA, IL, UT, AZ, & NM. Check us out at http://www.800loanmart.com/
TheNewEra
RealGM
Posts: 28,946
And1: 10,672
Joined: Aug 28, 2008
Location: Lob City
       

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#6 » by TheNewEra » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:17 pm

Nice we need to build on the tough swagger
User avatar
mj_shoefanatic
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,113
And1: 104
Joined: Dec 23, 2007
Location: Lob Angeles
       

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#7 » by mj_shoefanatic » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:28 pm

Chauncey has to return next season as player/coach so we can make the playoffs(again) next year.
krazyclipperfan
Freshman
Posts: 62
And1: 4
Joined: Feb 18, 2012

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#8 » by krazyclipperfan » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:27 pm

It good his veteran leadership is paying off in a big way.
mike3
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,976
And1: 120
Joined: Sep 27, 2009

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#9 » by mike3 » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:15 pm

He should be talking/coaching more than VDN. That'd inspire us like nothing else. Love this guy
og15
Forum Mod - Clippers
Forum Mod - Clippers
Posts: 50,739
And1: 33,537
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
Location: NBA Fan
 

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#10 » by og15 » Sun Apr 1, 2012 1:34 pm

mj_shoefanatic wrote:Chauncey has to return next season as player/coach so we can make the playoffs(again) next year.
I don't believe player coaches are allowed under the newer CBA's.
Angel strike1
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,864
And1: 658
Joined: Feb 15, 2012
       

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#11 » by Angel strike1 » Mon Apr 2, 2012 4:36 am

wish he could travel with us. at least we will have him for faker game
TheNewEra
RealGM
Posts: 28,946
And1: 10,672
Joined: Aug 28, 2008
Location: Lob City
       

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#12 » by TheNewEra » Mon Apr 2, 2012 4:27 pm

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
og15
Forum Mod - Clippers
Forum Mod - Clippers
Posts: 50,739
And1: 33,537
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
Location: NBA Fan
 

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#13 » by og15 » Mon Apr 2, 2012 4:29 pm

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

:lol: that would actually be hilarious. Someone should tweet that to the players
kombayn
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,135
And1: 755
Joined: Dec 15, 2005
         

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#14 » by kombayn » Wed Apr 4, 2012 5:13 am

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.
mkwest
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 26,910
And1: 5,728
Joined: Dec 18, 2005
   

Re: Billups making a difference/Clips can handle expectation 

Post#15 » by mkwest » Wed Apr 4, 2012 6:45 am

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.


There's a clip in one of the game threads of Chauncey talking to the team during the timeout and Vinny taking notes (kidding, but maybe not ;) ).

According to a STH who was recently invited to a Chalk Talk (led by Neil, Roeser, Vinny and Ralph), Neil and co. wanted Chauncey to be involved in some form or fashion with team after he retires and gave him offers that included front office positions, broadcast commentary, etc. Chauncey said no and that he wanted to be with the players on the sidelines and in the locker room. I totally feel that organization has done all the right things in making him feel welcomed here. Hanging his jersey up every game and wanting him to be a part of the club even after he hangs it all up for good. Players want to feel wanted (which was part of Mo's issue). Chauncey was traded away by his hometown team and cut/amnestied by the team that acquired him even though he was healthy. We've stood by him even injury, so it's encouraging that he may one day be sitting on the sidelines as part of the staff.

Return to Los Angeles Clippers