Connect with us

Sports

For Chauncey Billups, Minnesota was a turning point in his Hall of Fame career

Published

on

Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Sam Mitchell is thrilled that Chauncey Billups will enter the Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Mitchell also used strong words for individuals who “nearly ruined this man’s career” before he rose to turn out to be a star and NBA champion.

“When they let you down, they blame you,” Mitchell told Andscape. “In my opinion, every coach until Chauncey got to Minnesota let him down. And then they turned around and as an alternative of saying, “We let him down,” they said, “He can’t play.” Explain to me how someone who’s the third pick in the draft cannot play but is now on the point of enter the Hall of Fame? Explain this to me, because I do know the reality. I was there. I do know what Chauncey told me. I saw what happened in Boston. I saw what happened in Orlando.

“So explain to me how a loser who cannot play the position now finally ends up in the Hall of Fame? … I might love to listen to what they must say because I’m drained of writing about all these great (expletive) coaches who let people down. And then these guys turned out to be good. And nobody says a word. By saying that, they almost ruined this man’s career.

Advertisement

While the Timberwolves can be the springboard, Billups’ Hall of Fame biography is highlighted by his time with the Detroit Pistons. The five-time NBA All-Star was the point guard who, with the assistance of fellow Hall of Famer Ben Wallace, led the team to 5 straight conference finals, two NBA Finals appearances and one championship. The 2004 NBA Finals MVP also earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” in Detroit for making clutch shots and have become an all-around defender. The Pistons also retired his No. 1 jersey in 2016.

But before landing in Detroit, Billups went from being the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft to being viewed as a failure in just three seasons. The former University of Colorado star was traded during his first three seasons by the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and his hometown Denver Nuggets. He never played for the Orlando Magic as he was traded through the 1999-2000 season as a consequence of a shoulder injury. Billups averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 assists and a pair of.3 rebounds over his first 4 non-playoff seasons, a far cry from what was projected for him when he entered the NBA.

“You come in as a third-round pick with your aspirations,” said Billups, now the top coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. If I play like I’m going to be an All-Star. I’m going to take it to the subsequent level. And then you definitely fall completely, identical to I did. I actually have to prove that I belong in this league…

“I needed one other likelihood to prove that I actually belong in this league. And once I’ve done that, I’ll return to my repeatedly scheduled program. I’m going to point out them. And so after that short time in Orlando, I was a free agent and ended up signing with Minnesota.

Advertisement
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Chauncey Billups throws the ball onto the court on November 24, 2000, at Staples Center Arena in Los Angeles.

David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images

In 2000, Billups was an unrestricted free agent with the grieving Timberwolves and several other other teams. The Timberwolves needed a defenseman in 2000 as a consequence of the death of Malik Sealy.

Sealy averaged 10.1 points and three.2 rebounds in the NBA from 1992 to 2000, including his final two seasons in Minnesota. Former star of St. John’s University died tragically in the early morning hours of May 20, 2000, when his SUV was struck by a drunken wrong-way pickup driver.

Mitchell’s plans for an early golf outing immediately modified when Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders called him with the news of Sealy’s death.

Advertisement

“I will never forget this as long as I live,” Mitchell said. “I’ll always remember what a time it was. When Flip called me that morning, I never forgot what I was alleged to do. “I will never forget visiting (Sealy’s) house because I was the one who went to his house and told the police his wife.”

The Timberwolves honored Sealy’s life during their first home game of the 2000–01 season and retired his No. 2 jersey, however the team needed to recruit one other defender. Saunders and Timberwolves vice chairman of basketball operations Kevin McHale strongly considered signing Billups. But Mitchell said Saunders was concerned by rumors he had heard that the free agent was too offensive, couldn’t play the point guard position and lacked work ethic.

Mitchell said Saunders was near signing Billups and sought advice from Timberwolves players similar to Mitchell, point guard Terrell Brandon and All-Star Kevin Garnett. Mitchell, Brandon and Garnett were confident the rookie would do well in Minneapolis, and Billups and Garnett were close friends dating back to their AAU days. The Timberwolves signed Billups to a three-year, salary-cap contract, paying $2.25 million in the primary 12 months.

Advertisement

“Flip replied, ‘They say he’s selfish. They say it’s this one, they are saying it’s that one,” Mitchell recalled. “And I said, ‘Flip, I do not know him. But why don’t you give him a likelihood? So when he came, Chauncey told me that when he was in Boston, Toronto and Denver, they gave up on him as a point guard and principally told him to only come in and take a look at to attain. So that is what he did.

“And then when he came to Minnesota, I said, ‘Man, if you really want to learn how to play this position and if you really want to change how people think about you, you see this guy over there, Terrell Brandon, watch everything he does and talk with him. He’s a pure point guard…” Chauncey told me, “I need to play that position. No one ever taught me this position. “

Andy Miller, who was Billups’ agent on the time, said his client’s top offer was Minnesota. Miller said the 24-year-old Billups was perceived as an inconsistent and injury-plagued player on the time (Billups had played a total of 58 games in the previous two seasons). Miller added that McHale and Saunders were interested in adding Billups as insurance in case Brandon was injured.

“Chauncey obviously jumps,” Miller said. “He showed some flashes before, but not enough. And if he did not have respect in the league because he was such a precious person, he would probably be a minimum player at this point and wander a bit to search out his way. He had a certain level of talent that hadn’t been uncorked yet, and there was a certain level of respect when the Minnesota thing happened. This was actually a conversation that Kevin McHale, Flip and I had while trying to find a comboguard…

Advertisement

“They saw him as a safety valve who could still learn a position that may keep them young. And it wasn’t often because of the connection Garnett had with him. I do not remember there ever being a problem with selfishness or the rest. I believed it had more to do with his erratic play.

Left to right: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Sam Mitchell with teammates Dean Garrett and Chauncey Billups on the bench during a game on April 30, 2001.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

In addition to the pressure of joining one other team, Billups felt pressure to switch Sealy. In these difficult circumstances, the Timberwolves needed Billups not only as a player, but additionally as a positive person.

“I always loved Malik’s game, mainly because he was one of those guys that everyone respected,” Billups said. “I knew it could be difficult to switch him on and off the court. So the perfect thing I did was to not try.

Advertisement

“We had a lot going on, man,” Mitchell said, “and when Chauncey joined our team after what happened with Malik and stuff, it was a blessing for us. Malik was such a good dude and such a good teammate. And then when Chauncey got here in, he almost hit the nail on the top, being such a good guy, being funny. KG and all of us in this team needed someone like that. It’s like God sent us Chauncey.”

Billups had a breakout, healthy 2000-01 season with the Timberwolves and credited much of his turnaround to Brandon and Mitchell. He continued to enhance through the 2001-02 season, averaging 12.5 points and 5.5 assists in 54 games while learning to play the point guard position and familiarizing himself with the NBA’s operations on and off the court.

“Those two guys changed my life, man,” Billups said of Brandon and Mitchell. “Simply put, Terrell taught me how to be a quarterback and everything that comes with it. How to learn my opponents, how to learn my teammates, what to do myself, when to shoot, when to make everything easier. And Sam taught me how to be a professional.”

Miller said what fueled Billups as a free agent was his play through the 2001-02 playoffs for the Timberwolves. With Brandon sidelined, Billups averaged 22 points, 5.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal in three games against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks defeated the Timberwolves in a best-of-seven series, but Billups proved he was able to be an NBA point guard.

“At that point, he was ready to begin being a real point guard who was going to make an impact in the league. We also couldn’t take half a step back by waiting for Terrell to grow old or be traded,” Miller said.

Advertisement

The Timberwolves, Pistons and Miami Heat were interested in Billups as a free agent. With the Timberwolves committing Brandon at point guard, Billups missed the chance to begin. Detroit was the place when he signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Pistons on July 17, 2002. Detroit was Billups’ sixth team in six years.

“When my time in Minnesota got here to an end, I never looked back. I went to Detroit and all of it ended,” Billups said.

Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups drives to the basket during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 22, 2004, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups is called NBA Finals MVP after playing against the Los Angeles Lakers in Auburn Hills, Michigan on June 15, 2004.

Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Advertisement

Wallace and former Pistons coach Larry Brown, each Hall of Famers, will introduce Billups on stage Sunday evening during his induction speech. Given Billups’ success in Detroit, expect a lot of talk concerning the Pistons. Expect the Timberwolves to get some love as well for laying the groundwork for his path to the Hall of Fame.

“Minnesota put him on the right track,” Mitchell said. “I do not think Minnesota made him a Hall of Famer. His years in Detroit made him a member of the Hall of Fame. The years spent in Minnesota were full of development, learning the sport, leading the team and so forth.

“I don’t know if you could cut the pie into pieces,” Miller said, “but I would say Minnesota was a huge piece of Chauncey going into the Hall of Fame because there wasn’t a level of stability up to that point.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to give you the option to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been in a position to do it for years and his knees still hurt.

Advertisement

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

SWAC overcomes a lawsuit worth USD 150 million with Urban Edge Network for media rights to HBCU Athletic Games

Published

on

By

Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has recently received an exemption in court regarding a lawsuit worth $ 150 million regarding media rights for conference sports games. According to Raleigh News & ObserverUrban Edge Network claimed that that they had the precise to broadcast SWAC sports competitions on streaming platforms. The claim was released in April, because “Uen has no contractual relationships from SWAC and as such, he has no right to sell, sell or promote advertisements, transmission or similar rights to Swac games or the events of his member institutions”, in accordance with Statement issued by SWAC. Claims distant by the claim include unfair business practices and interference within the contract, among the many litany of others.

SWAC is a conference consisting of several historically black college and universities (HBCU), comparable to Jackson State University, Alabama A & m University, Grambling State University and Southern University.

Advertisement

In the statement, SWAC continued: “Urban Edge and its founders” and its founders Hardy Pelt and Todd Brown “from further false attempts to sell advertising and media for third parties, otherwise use the media to swack or call for violation of their contracts from Swac.”

The dismissal is critical, especially since HBCU games have change into far more popular on streaming platforms comparable to HBCugo (property of the Allen Media Group), and are even broadcast more recurrently in primary stores comparable to ESPN. Each thanksgiving, ESPN broadcasts Bayou Classic, an annual football competition between the outstanding HBCUS in Louisiana, each members of SWAC-exposing the State University and the South University.

Jackson State University is one other university whose national profile has increased over the past few years, which allows you to broadcast these lucrative games. Deion Sanders was the primary coach of the college football team and brought each his son Shedeur Sanders and a 5-star recruit of Travis Hunter to Jackson. Both of them finally followed the Boulder Deion in Colorado when he took over the football program on the University of Colorado. Both players were recently elected in 2025 NFL Draft.

SWAC has other claims against Urban Edge Network that can go to the trial.

Advertisement
Finally, home home, basketball teams Jackson State take care of the Alcorn State counterparts

(Tagstotranslate) HBCU SPORTS (T) hbcugo.television

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Sports

EASTSIDE GOLF SIGNS JOSEPH BRAMLETT as the first member of PGA Tour

Published

on

By

EastSide Golf is even.

Earl Cooper and Olajuwon Ajanaku founded a black brand of golf clothing, which goals to make golf more integrative. They have recently announced two fundamental movements to support this mission: they launched last month EASTIDE GOLF FOUNDATIONAnd today the brand has announced the signing of its first skilled Golfer under a contract of support: a member of PGA Tour Joseph Bramph.

Braglett said that in 2020 he was fascinated by joining Golf EastSide.

Advertisement

“Since then, I watched the brand growing,” he said. “They sent me a few shirts and other things, and I had many friends wore EastSide Golf (clothing). I watched their mission, what they were, the height they had, and I was very excited about the possibility of finally becoming part of it and push the brand forward.”

During all skilled competitions, a member of PGA Tour will wear brand clothing with a characteristic logo on the left breast, a black golfanist rocking golf club with a golden chain on the neck. Normal Fashion Elections Bramletta lie in a stereotypical sports outfit, nevertheless it is happy that it may possibly break out of this manner with EastSide turtleneck.

Golfist Joseph Bramlett at Snap -Placket Polo and Tech Pants Eastern Golf.

EastSide Golf

“They just bring different energy,” he said. “You see Jordan’s cooperation and growing up, I played golf from an early age, but basketball has always been my second sport. I am a big fan of Michael Jordan.” He called the Link with Golf EastSide “a very good fit”.

Advertisement

Bramp’s father initiated his love for this sport. His father, who, said, was “addicted to Golf, before I was born”, often exchange a golf club in the lounge. Braglett simply copied his actions.

“Every time his turn came to take care of me, he practiced (his) a short game and let me crawl on the grass,” he said. “I read the game very early and I don’t know exactly what it was, but it captivated me from the very beginning.”

The profession of Stanford graduates includes winning the national championships in the first 12 months. His win secured the PGA Tour card immediately after studying in 2010. His other achievements include winning the Korn Ferry Tour in 2021 and the recent third place at Puerto Rico Open, where he scored 21 years.

“I watched their mission, what they were about, the height they had, and I was very excited about the possibility of finally becoming part of it,” said Bramlett about joining Golf Eastside.

EastSide Golf

Advertisement

Bramlett is one of two black golfers commonly competing on PGA Tour.

“I was a black golfer all my life, so from the first day it was just part of my experience in the game,” he said. “That’s what I’m proud of, I know that this is something that distinguishes me a bit (and) I think it is also something that gives me a great platform.”

Departing from Saratog in California, he signed a contract with EastSide Golf not only to the present, but additionally for the future. Bramlett has one other decade for top -level competition. Despite this, when he finished, he would love to present up a game that he gave a lot to people like him, Cooper and Anjanak, despite the history of Golf to be inaccessible to black people.

“All positive and inclusion that they pressed, social times, and the ways in which they bring people to the game, making them feel more welcome, pushing the game forward,” he said. “I want to be someone who is involved.”

Advertisement

EastSide Golf signed Bramletta shortly after the announcement of EastSide Golf Foundation. The foundation was created to extend influence in three key areas: access, education and perfection. The Foundation will ensure resources to make Golf more available, share knowledge about sport and financial support for social organizations, golf teams and individuals through high -quality programs that favor long -term success.

Golfist PGA Tour Joseph Bramph (on the left), wearing Core Pique Polo EastSide Golf, together with co -founder and inventive director EastSide Golf and inventive director Olajuwon Ajanaku (on the right), who’s wearing a brand sweater and embroidered.

EastSide Golf

“I am a PGA professional and I think that as PGA professionals, we bear the duties to bring people to the game,” said Cooper. “There is a bigger mission and until everyone feels welcome and everyone feels comfortable in the golf course, we still have a job.”

Cooper said that having a foundation allows Golf EastSide to receive larger funds to increase their mission. One of the features of this mission, which can probably profit, is EastSide Golf Invitational, a charity event starting the third 12 months, and now the official event of the Foundation Funds.

Advertisement

Now, the official event of the foundation funds, Invitational has generated over 100,000 USD for Morehouse College over the past two years. Since 2019, EastSide Golf has brought almost USD 300,000 in the school golf program for the support of scholarships, team operations and others. In addition to financial support, EastSide Golf also provides uniforms, transport, contacts and other experiences, such as the team host in Masters.

Their financial contribution is in step with the meaning of the school, which connects Cooper and Anjanak. They met in College via the Golf team and won the twenty fourth minority Golf PGA championship in 2010.

Although Cooper didn’t create PGA Tour, he wants to go away the heritage of motivating the next generation. “Although I’m not on the route, I can still influence,” he said.

For Bragletta, he just wants children to know that they’ll achieve all the pieces they gave their minds to.

“I was lucky to grow up, I had Tiger Woods,” he said. “I hope that I can set such an example for future generations.”

Advertisement

Garfield Hylton is knowledgeable journalist, spirit and a digital storyteller. When he doesn’t write essays, he’s working on the gym on a jump in order that young boys don’t escape from the field.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Continue Reading

Sports

Ryan Clark breaks down in an emotional interview with Greg Brooks Jr.: “This child did not deserve it”

Published

on

By

Ryana Clark “The Pivot” podcast It boasts “key conversations”. However, the host of the podcast was not prepared for the emotional variety of his last interview with a former footballer of the State University in Louisiana Greg Brooks Jr. After almost an hour conversation with Greg Brooks and his father, Greg Brooks, Clark, Clark Put in tears a moment after Brooks was thrown out of the interview.

“Sometimes I miss it. I look at the screen and I think it should be me, but I’m just glad that I’m here.”

Advertisement

“You are amazing. You are an inspiration, I mean that you are a superhero and I expected that from a very young age, when I met you, to achieve great things,” said Clark Brooks Jr. “I never expected you to achieve what you have man. I love you.”

For Clark, Ałunu LSU and the super Bowl master, this conversation was particularly annoying because he was there to witness Brooks Jr.’s journey. from early days of recovery.

“It’s hard to see, old,” Clark continued. “My tears are like a part of pride, but also just anger, because you are right, this child does not … does not deserve this man, and to be honest, GB (Greg Brooks Sr.), the most difficult part is for me that he has no anger. He is so happy of everything he has, he is so happy because of how far is.”

While the previous LSU football captain is grateful for recovery, his father, Brooks Sr., explained that Brooks Jr. He still experiences the extent of pain.

Advertisement
Trailer

“Don’t you think that this child suffered, old? Don’t you think that he had the successes of all his friends? Not hear from the trainer for over 17 months? Seventeen Fu ** months … it’s painful, old” – revealed Brooks Sr.

In a lawsuit against the University and Mother of God of the Lake Regional Medical Center at Baton Rouge, the Brooks family claims that LSU staff and medical staff performed neglect in the Brooks Jr. And that the varsity did not inform the athlete’s family about his injury.

“I just want young athletes in the identical place, if something hurts, tell them.

(Tagstranslate) LSU Football (T) Ryan Clark (T) Sport

Advertisement
This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending