When the New York Knicks traded for Carmello Anthony earlier this week, you would hardly know that Chauncey Billups was even involved in the trade. Yes, I realize that Carmello is one of the best players in the game and that he was obviously the main piece in the deal, but I think that people are underestimating how important Billups will be to the Knicks success.
Ever since the trade, all I’ve been hearing about is Carmello and Amare. Yeah, they are great players and I understand why they are getting all of the hype, but think people are forgetting how good of a player Billups has been…and still is. Everybody knows that you must have good point guard play if you’re going to compete with the best, so I believe that Billups is going to be the key for New York.
Billups was the probably the most important player to the Pistons success during their 7 year run, which included 6 straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, 2 NBA Finals appearances and a NBA Championship in which Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP. So, it is no coincidence the Pistons haven’t been the same since Chauncey was traded away.
Billups is a very smart, hard nosed, sharp shooting point guard who isn’t afraid to take and make the big shot….hence the name “Mr. Big Shot”. And it’s not like the guy is washed up. Billups averaged 19.5 ppg and 5.6 apg last year while being named to the All Star team for the 5th straight year. This year Billups is averaging a very respectable 16.7 ppg and 5.4 apg, while shooting a ridiculous 43% from 3. Chauncey has averaged 23 points and 8 assists in his first 2 games with the Knicks and will most definitely bring solidity to New York’s point guard position.
Everybody talks about how the Heat and Celtics have the big 3 and rightfully so, but why shouldn’t Carmello, Amare and Chauncey be mentioned in the same category. Now, I’m not saying the Knicks are going to win the NBA Championship this year, but they will definitely be a team to be reckoned with come playoff time and I think that Billups will have just as much to say about that as Amare and Mello.
If anything, the Knicks need Billups just as much as much as they need Mello, so people need to start giving him some props. After all, he is the only player on that team who is an NBA Champion.
Actually, Ronny Turiaf is too, but he doesn’t count because he sat the bench for the Lakers.
Stats provided by NBA.com
Well said. I agree Billups has been ignored completely, just like Joe Dumars was back in the day. Overshadowed by the rest of the colorful personalities and Isiah. Quiet, dependable, steady and productive!
ReplyDeleteyeah...i think anybody who has really seen Chauncey play consistantly knows how good he is. As a Pistons fan, i will never forget what he did for us and will always be a huge fan of his. I will def be rooting for him and NY to win it all. thanks for the comment!
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