Mr.Bottomtooth
11-04-2006, 12:25 PM
Billups may opt for more bucks
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | November 4, 2006
When Chauncey Billups visits Boston, fans at TD Banknorth Garden wonder what might have been if he developed with the Celtics. They are also reminded of the big difference an All-Star point guard can make.
When this season ends, Billups has a player option worth $6.8 million for 2007-08. He could opt out. According to a close friend of Billups, the veteran point guard has interest in Milwaukee. And the interest might be mutual when the time is right.
With the Bucks projected to be $14 million under the salary cap next season and in need of a point guard, Billups could be a good fit. In Detroit's season-opening loss to Milwaukee Wednesday night, Billups saw the Bucks' young talent firsthand. The same friend said Billups liked what he saw.
Chicago signed Billups's former Detroit teammate Ben Wallace to a four-year deal worth $60 million during the offseason. And if you ask the Celtics, Billups was just as valuable to the Pistons as Wallace in recent years, if not more so.
"In my eyes, Chauncey is probably the best one-time All-Star in the history of the game," said Paul Pierce, who believes the Pistons' floor general should have received the honor at least three times. "The way he controls the game, the way his tempo is, the way he gets these guys going, he's the unquestioned leader of that team. He's capable of getting it done on both ends."
As the Finals MVP on the Pistons' 2004 championship team, Billups averaged 16.9 points and 5.7 assists per game that season. He bettered both figures last year with career bests in points (18.5) and assists (8.6). Without Wallace, the Pistons' identity depends even more upon the leadership provided by Billups.
Last night, Billups had 20 points and 11 assists in the Pistons' 101-88 win over the Celtics.
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | November 4, 2006
When Chauncey Billups visits Boston, fans at TD Banknorth Garden wonder what might have been if he developed with the Celtics. They are also reminded of the big difference an All-Star point guard can make.
When this season ends, Billups has a player option worth $6.8 million for 2007-08. He could opt out. According to a close friend of Billups, the veteran point guard has interest in Milwaukee. And the interest might be mutual when the time is right.
With the Bucks projected to be $14 million under the salary cap next season and in need of a point guard, Billups could be a good fit. In Detroit's season-opening loss to Milwaukee Wednesday night, Billups saw the Bucks' young talent firsthand. The same friend said Billups liked what he saw.
Chicago signed Billups's former Detroit teammate Ben Wallace to a four-year deal worth $60 million during the offseason. And if you ask the Celtics, Billups was just as valuable to the Pistons as Wallace in recent years, if not more so.
"In my eyes, Chauncey is probably the best one-time All-Star in the history of the game," said Paul Pierce, who believes the Pistons' floor general should have received the honor at least three times. "The way he controls the game, the way his tempo is, the way he gets these guys going, he's the unquestioned leader of that team. He's capable of getting it done on both ends."
As the Finals MVP on the Pistons' 2004 championship team, Billups averaged 16.9 points and 5.7 assists per game that season. He bettered both figures last year with career bests in points (18.5) and assists (8.6). Without Wallace, the Pistons' identity depends even more upon the leadership provided by Billups.
Last night, Billups had 20 points and 11 assists in the Pistons' 101-88 win over the Celtics.