Chauncey Billups: Following the Leader
Written by MC Homer, Tuesday May 12 2009
Most NBA fans, even the casual ones, have heard by now, that Chauncey Billups is a Denver Nugget. Before he got to
He was drafted third overall by the Celtics in the 1997 draft and subsequently traded halfway through his first season, to the Toronto Raptors. After finishing the season in
Known for his tough defense and clutch shooting, Billups has added leader to his resume during his current stint in
I am not saying he is not recognized as a fantastic basketball player, but I don’t think he gets the accolades he deserves. He has single-handedly transformed this Nugget team into a juggernaut. Not only do they have as much firepower as anyone in the league, they have the toughness it takes to bring home a title. Before Billups arrived, Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin, among others, were immature. I won’t say they were thugs, but that is the image they portrayed. Chauncey Billups has changed that thug mentality into gritty toughness, the good kind.
Game five in
Chauncey Billups is, hands down, the most underrated player in the league. You can throw out names like Brandon Roy, Darron Williams in
Although fully capable of putting up a triple double more often than not, he acts more as a coach and facilitator of the offense. He is selfless in the sense that his numbers don’t matter. He has never averaged 20 points a game, although, when push comes to shove, scoring 20 isn’t a problem for him. Every athlete will say they want to win above all else, then there are those who let their play do the talking. As they say, actions speak louder than words.
Not only does he set a good example on the court, he has won numerous awards for sportsmanship, but he is also very active in the community. The NBA pushes its athletes hard to spend time in the community, but I get the sense Billups does it because it is the right thing to do, not just because his boss tells him to. As a high profile figure, being active in his community means a lot, not only to the specific individuals he works with, but for the community as a whole. It sets a good example. That encompasses everything that is Chauncey Billups, he sets a good example.
Chauncey Billups is a class act through and through. The NBA needs more players like him. By all accounts that I’m aware of, he is a gentleman on and off the court. With a league filled with wannabe thugs and gangsters, it is time for a change. It starts with veterans showing the youngsters the right way to carry themselves. There is always someone watching. I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t stand the Denver Nuggets and their over-the-top, self-absorbed personalities, but Chauncey has changed the environment on that team. I’d like to personally thank Mr. Billups for being such a positive role model for today’s kids. The good Lord knows there can never be enough good role models for today’s youth.
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2 comments
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Thank you. I am also sick of seeing veterans portray the "thug" image. Even big names, like Paul Pierce has been accused of throwing gang signs while in uniform. I don't know that he really did, but that is a piss poor example for role models to set. He is not even close to the only one who tries to act "hard" when they are on the court. C'mon, acting like that doesn't make you look cool, it makes you look like a douche. Good thing today's kids get to watch that and immulate it... Or not... Basketball is by far the biggest culprit when it comes to this "thug" image. Although, football players seem to get in trouble far more often... Nice, now all our professional athletes/role models are teaching the next generation exactly how NOT to act. Too bad the kids don't look at it that way...
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Good article MC! And praise indeed to Chauncey Billups for being the stand up person and player that he is. It is certainly a breath of fresh air and a break from the young immature guys that saturate the league.