Re: Chauncy Billups

[Cecil Wright <nocw1@nsh.library.ns.ca>]

I think everyone notices the same thing but what do you expect from him 
as a rookie?  I understand that he has weaknesses especially in the 
decision-making aspect of the game, but so does every point guard.  I 
also was surprised to see Billups return at such a key stage of the game, 
and I am one of his supporters.

Perhaps Pitino wants him to get a taste of what it's truly like to feel 
crunch-time pressure.  If so, I hope the message was received that RP 
intended.  It could be his FT shooting that RP decided would be an 
advantage.  But he certainly will be better off from experiencing these 
crucial minutes.

Cecil
On Sat, 22 Nov 1997, dan.p wrote:

> >	And, with about 5 minutes to go in the game, Rick took Edney
> >(who had been doing a solid job) out of the game in favor of Billups,
> >who had not played well.  Billups responded with a series of poor
> >shots, fouls and turnovers, that came close to letting the Nets back
> >into the game (he also got tangled up with Cassell, and they both got
> >called for a double foul, which got Cassell out of the game: but I
> >doubt it was intentional).  Finally Pitino had to get Billups back out
> >of their and put Edney back in.
> 
> I noticed this too.  The Celtics are almost doing too well.  They are close
> or ahead of other teams at the end of games and you want to see the players
> that are getting the job done out on the floor.  I'd have to say Edney is
> beating out Billups in this regard.  At least in a twenty point blowout you
> can leave Billups out there and not feel like your costing the team the
> game.  It bothered me that the team's best stretches of play in last
> night's game came when Billups was on the bench.
> 
> On a more positive note, I think Chauncy has some great skills, and I
> optimistically hope he will follow the path Gary Payton took.  I don't
> think he'll ever be a classic point guard, but that's not necessarily a bad
> thing.  His ballhandling skills are starting to shine (the first couple of
> games he didn't look like he could run and dribble at the same time -
> everything was half-speed) and he has good range although his shot
> selection could use some work.  He protects the ball well.  He stills seems
> to be feeling out his role which might be why he looks so lost out there
> sometimes.
> 
> Dan
>