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The Portland Trail Blazers announced Sunday that Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups is the 15th coach in the series’ history. The duration of the deal is five years, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Clippers Billups are still alive in the playoffs, but are currently trailing the Phoenix Suns 3-1 to the Western Conference Finals.
“Chauncey is a proven leader with elite basketball intelligence who has won everywhere he has been,” said Blazers president Neil Olshey. “He is ready for the challenge of developing the championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.”
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Blazers star Damian Lillard publicly endorsed both Billups and Jason Kidd for the job after Terry Stotts was fired, telling Charania and Jason Quick “I love J. Kidd and Chauncey.” Kidd removed his name from consideration, and eventually landed a Dallas Mavericks job. Billups has remained in the research process and has now earned the position. He’s never been a head coach in the NBA before, but has been sought after for some time.
“I am very excited and humbled to be the next coach for the Trail Blazers,” Billups said. “Portland is a special place and a unique privilege. As a player I have always loved to play here because the passion and knowledge of the fans brought out the best in me as a competitor. Now I look forward to being on the other side of that energy and engaging with the Portland community on another level.
“I would like to thank Jodi Allen, Bert Coldy and Neil Olschi for their trust and for giving me this incredible opportunity,” Pelops continued. “Most importantly, I want to tell the fans that I know what this team means to you, and I promise to pour every ounce of you into continuing to make you proud of what the Trail Blazers stand for.”
Billups has a unique perspective as a player who started his career as a journeyman but eventually developed into a star. He played for four franchises before eventually landing in Detroit and winning the MVP of the Finals in 2004. He has since worked as an anchor for ESPN while courting multiple jobs, including as head of basketball operations in Cleveland. He interviewed the Indiana Pacers in their last off-season for a major coaching job, but that position eventually went to Nate Björkgreen.
Billups will cut his work off at Portland’s exact position. The Blazers have lost in the first round in four of the past five seasons, and general manager Neil Olshey indicated he doesn’t expect a big change in the roster that just finished 29th in defense. Lillard is 30 years old, and even if he is in favor of hiring Billups, it should be noted that he has never made it to the finals and doesn’t seem particularly close to doing so at the moment. He never indicated he wanted to leave Portland, but NBA history suggests that enough years without a real title contender tends to affect most stars. Billups may be Portland’s best chance of avoiding that fate.
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