Chauncey Billups out for Season with Achilles Injury
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said of his team’s 107-102 win over the Magic. “I’m sick about it. I’m sick for him. I’m sick for us, but mostly for him and how much he means to us. Hopefully we’ll get some good news tomorrow.”
No, Billups is no longer the same guy who instilled fear in opposing defenses, nor is he as big of a piece to the Clippers early-season success as Chris Paul or Blake Griffin. But the 35-year-old veteran who was left for dead by the New York Knicks via the amnesty clause has been a surprising catalyst for the Clippers.
Despite Billups now serving primarily as a spot-up perimeter threat, he’s still finding success as a spot-up shooter. He has scored 1.29 points per possession in spot-up situations this season, which ranks him 15th among all eligible players. And although the Clips haven’t exactly been dominant in their own end this season(23rd in defensive efficiency), you can bet that losing Billups will likely only make them worse.
Yes, Mo Williams will slide into Billups’ place perfectly, and Randy Foye can be expected to chip in minutes as well. But the whole point of bringing in Billups was to provide a veteran presence in the locker room for when the Clippers make their push toward the postseason.
Bottom line, Billups was an anchor for this young Clippers team, and now they’ll have to go the rest of the 2012 season without him.
“He’s the best guard I’ve ever started with in the backcourt since I’ve been in the NBA,” Paul said. “I trust him with anything, and that’s not just on the court. We need him, no question.”
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