Vinny
12-11-2006, 05:50 PM
Pretty much just fluff, sorry for making a new thread but couldn't find the old Billups thread...
Fantasy Extra: Chauncey Billups Q&A
http://images.sportsline.com/images/author/10490.jpgDec. 11, 2006
By Jamey Eisenberg
Senior Fantasy Writer
Chauncey Billups feels like his career is just getting started, and the Detroit Pistons point guard might be right.
Billups was the No. 3 overall selection in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, but his career didn't start off as expected. He spent his first five seasons in the NBA bouncing around to Boston, Toronto, Denver, Orlando and Minnesota.
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/fantasy/hoops/img9864484.jpg Chauncey Billups is playing for his teammates and a big offseason payday. (Getty Images) Billups was labeled as a bust by the time he got to Detroit in 2002. But that's when things finally turned around. He led the Pistons to a championship in 2004 and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Then last year, Billups made his first All-Star team and finished with career-highs in points (18.5) and assists (8.6).
With center Ben Wallace leaving Detroit for Chicago this past offseason, Billups assumed the leadership role for the Pistons. He is excited about being a captain, and also wants to build off of last year's success.
So far, Billups is doing just fine. Through 19 games, Billups is averaging 17.5 points and 8.6 assists. He has been an excellent Fantasy point guard, and he plans to continue putting up solid numbers.
Billups recently spoke about his expectations for this season and replacing Wallace.
How is the season going for you so far?
It's going good. We have a lot of new faces. I'm having a good season. I always feel like a good season for me is predicated on how my team is doing. For me, I'm the leader of the team. I just want to lead my troops. I want us to have a chance to win every night. Some nights I have to be a more aggressive scorer. Some nights I can orchestrate a little more. I'm enjoying it man. I think it's going great.
Ben Wallace was the leader of the team last year. Now that role is yours. Do you like being the one everyone looks to?
I definitely embrace that role. It's not something that I chased. It just sort of happened. All my hard work has paid off. I went through a lot of trials and tribulations and kept fighting. I've been blessed. I love getting this opportunity, and I'm trying not to let up.
How do you adjust with losing a guy like Ben Wallace?
We struggled a lot early, but you have to hold each other accountable. We don't have somebody back there to erase our mistakes. On the perimeter, defensively, you always had that guy back there blocking shots and covering for us. We don't have that kind of presence anymore. We have to hold each other accountable. Once we realized that, we started taking some baby steps and getting better.
How much fun was last year in terms of your success?
We ended on a sour note last year, me personally and the team. That fueled my fire coming back this season. It was a fun year. I expect this year to be just as fun. I expect this year to be just as successful. That’s just the way I approach every game and every situation.
What were some of the goals you set for yourself this year?
I wanted to come in this year and continue to have the same kind of success I had last year. I feel like I worked this summer to take baby steps to try and get better. It's my 10th year in the league, and I still feel like I'm getting better. I enjoy it and I love it. I want to come in and continue to run the show. Score at will when I want to, and when the team needs me to. I want to keep my assists up, turnovers low and continue to be a great teammate.
Fantasy Extra: Chauncey Billups Q&A
http://images.sportsline.com/images/author/10490.jpgDec. 11, 2006
By Jamey Eisenberg
Senior Fantasy Writer
Chauncey Billups feels like his career is just getting started, and the Detroit Pistons point guard might be right.
Billups was the No. 3 overall selection in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, but his career didn't start off as expected. He spent his first five seasons in the NBA bouncing around to Boston, Toronto, Denver, Orlando and Minnesota.
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/fantasy/hoops/img9864484.jpg Chauncey Billups is playing for his teammates and a big offseason payday. (Getty Images) Billups was labeled as a bust by the time he got to Detroit in 2002. But that's when things finally turned around. He led the Pistons to a championship in 2004 and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Then last year, Billups made his first All-Star team and finished with career-highs in points (18.5) and assists (8.6).
With center Ben Wallace leaving Detroit for Chicago this past offseason, Billups assumed the leadership role for the Pistons. He is excited about being a captain, and also wants to build off of last year's success.
So far, Billups is doing just fine. Through 19 games, Billups is averaging 17.5 points and 8.6 assists. He has been an excellent Fantasy point guard, and he plans to continue putting up solid numbers.
Billups recently spoke about his expectations for this season and replacing Wallace.
How is the season going for you so far?
It's going good. We have a lot of new faces. I'm having a good season. I always feel like a good season for me is predicated on how my team is doing. For me, I'm the leader of the team. I just want to lead my troops. I want us to have a chance to win every night. Some nights I have to be a more aggressive scorer. Some nights I can orchestrate a little more. I'm enjoying it man. I think it's going great.
Ben Wallace was the leader of the team last year. Now that role is yours. Do you like being the one everyone looks to?
I definitely embrace that role. It's not something that I chased. It just sort of happened. All my hard work has paid off. I went through a lot of trials and tribulations and kept fighting. I've been blessed. I love getting this opportunity, and I'm trying not to let up.
How do you adjust with losing a guy like Ben Wallace?
We struggled a lot early, but you have to hold each other accountable. We don't have somebody back there to erase our mistakes. On the perimeter, defensively, you always had that guy back there blocking shots and covering for us. We don't have that kind of presence anymore. We have to hold each other accountable. Once we realized that, we started taking some baby steps and getting better.
How much fun was last year in terms of your success?
We ended on a sour note last year, me personally and the team. That fueled my fire coming back this season. It was a fun year. I expect this year to be just as fun. I expect this year to be just as successful. That’s just the way I approach every game and every situation.
What were some of the goals you set for yourself this year?
I wanted to come in this year and continue to have the same kind of success I had last year. I feel like I worked this summer to take baby steps to try and get better. It's my 10th year in the league, and I still feel like I'm getting better. I enjoy it and I love it. I want to come in and continue to run the show. Score at will when I want to, and when the team needs me to. I want to keep my assists up, turnovers low and continue to be a great teammate.