Portland Trail Blazers hire Chauncey Billups as their new head coach on a five-year contract.
Chauncey Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has agreed a five-year contract with Portland for his first position as a head coach. The Trail Blazers were interested in Mike D’Antoni and Becky Hammon.
Chauncey Billups has agreed to a five-year contract to become head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star during his 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach but has spent the last season as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Portland is a special place and a unique franchise,” Billups said in a statement late Sunday.
“As a player, I always enjoyed playing here because the fans’ enthusiasm and knowledge brought out the best in me as a competitor.”
“Now I’m looking forward to being on the other side of that energy and engaging with the Portland community on a whole other level.”
The 44-year-old will become the franchise’s 15th head coach.
“Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite basketball IQ who has won wherever he has gone,” said Neil Olshey, Portland’s president of basketball operations.
“He is prepared for the challenge of developing the championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.”
The Blazers were also interested in Mike D’Antoni, an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets, and Becky Hammon, an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration after it was revealed that Blazers guard Damian Lillard had backed him for the position.
Billups has played for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, New York, and the Clippers. Known as ‘Mr Big Shot’, he was named MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals while playing for the championship-winning Pistons.
Last November, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue added Billups to his staff.
The Blazers had reached an agreement with Billups, according to reports on Friday. The choice sparked controversy in Portland due to reports that he was involved in a sexual assault in 1997. There were no criminal charges ever filed.
Terry Stotts was sacked shortly after the Blazers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Stotts coached the Blazers for nine seasons, including eight playoff appearances. However, Portland has failed to advance past the first round in four of the previous five years.
