Trans. Jun 10 4:20 ET (Jun 10 4:20 ET ) The announcement of a new NBA award is always time for celebration, if only because players deserve to be recognized for their achievements in public. On Sunday, free agent guard Chauncey Billups became the inaugural winner of the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award , a trophy designed to identify the best locker room presence and workplace friend in the league. (Oddly, players were not allowed to vote for their own teammates, which would seem to defeat the stated purpose.) It was a nice way to honor Billups, a widely respected veteran who has earned plaudits for his leadership over many years.
Naturally, Billups celebrated his new award by questioning a teammate's on-court mindset on national television. From ESPN.com :
Chauncey Billups was in Miami Sunday, picking up the inaugural NBA Best Teammate award. But he wouldn’t mind being back in Miami next fall. Billups is an unrestricted free agent this summer and like a lot of veterans willing to play for less money if they get a shot at a ring, he has interest…
Whether he was in uniform or in a suit on the sidelines as he recovered from a torn Achilles, a lot of Clippers players would turn to Chauncey Billups for advice. How to deal with certain defenses, how to cover particular players, whatever it was he was like another assistant coach for the team. So…
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups became the first-ever recipient of the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award on Sunday, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports NBA columnist Marc J. Spears .
"I pride myself in being a good human being and a good teammate, and obviously this is a Teammate of the Year Award, but I think more importantly, it's about just being a good person," the five-time All-Star and 2004 NBA Finals MVP said after receiving the award.
Billups received the award in a ceremony before Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Sunday. NBA players selected the 16-year veteran as the inaugural winner of the award, "which recognizes the NBA player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and his commitment and dedication to his team," according to the league. The NBA will make a $25,000 donation to the charity of Billups' choice in recognition of the honor.
"I can't think of a player who is more deserving and who embodies the virtues of this award than our first-ever recipient," NBA Commissioner David Stern said Sunday. "He is a leader, a selfless player who has rightfully earned the trust and respect of his teammates throughout his career."
With every season that ends, for the playoff teams at least, we felt it right to take a look ahead. TNT already has the rights to "Gone Fishin'," and because we're sure that someone, somewhere, still likes that Wyclef song, we're going with "Gone Till November." And, yes, we know the season starts in October. Today? The Los Angeles Clippers.
From the minute the deal sending Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers was announced, it became obvious that the long-suffering franchise was suddenly in the hands of someone special. Most importantly, it was in the hands of someone sullen, with significant sway. After the deal Clipper big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan could be seen celebrating following a Clipper practice, all the way back in December of 2011, in full view of teammates that would be likely packaged off to New Orleans in exchange for Paul’s gifts. CP3 mentor Chauncey Billups was quickly given a gig as the team’s resident sage. Coach Vinny Del Negro was quickly given the dubious eye.
Despite whispers about the potential years’ worth of Los Angeles vs. Los Angeles battles in the Western Conference finals, the Clippers have stumbled somewhat. A second round ouster in Paul’s first, chaotic year as point guard in 2012 was passable enough. A 2013 first round dismissal at the hands of a Memphis Grizzlies franchise (if not fully returned roster) that lost to the Clippers in a similar series 12 months before was galling enough. Chris Paul, team leader, appears ticked. Ticked, more than enough.
And Vinny Del Negro, Clippers coach, appears to be on his way out.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Chauncey Billups is back in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Clippers, just in time to begin what they hope is an extended run in the playoffs.
Billups has left the Los Angeles Clippers' game against the New Orleans Hornets after aggravating a nagging right groin strain. Clippers spokesman Dennis Rogers on Wednesday night says Billups is out for the remainder of the game.
The Scoop:Billups, who had missed the Clippers three previous games, was inserted in the starting lineup in New Orleans. However, he could be seen grimacing as he walked to the bench early in the third quarter. The veteran guard was playing in only his 20th game this season. He had 11 points and two assists in 13 minutes against the Hornets, hitting three of four 3-pointers he attempted in the first half to help Los Angeles take a 56-48 lead at halftime.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Chauncey Billups has left the Los Angeles Clippers' game against the New Orleans Hornets after aggravating a nagging right groin strain.
The Scoop: None.
Mar 27 6:45 ET
News (various sources)
Report: Clippers interview Shaw; now Scott, McMillan, Hollins on deck (NBC Sports) (9 Days Ago | courtesy: NBC Sports) Sounds like Brian Shaw’s interview with the Clippers Monday went well. That makes some sense — he’s ready to be a head coach, and for a franchise always looking to steal some Lakers thunder taking the coach the players and fans wanted to replace Phil Jackson is a nice jab at the guys down the… More...
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