Veteran Billups takes quick first step
New York Knicks point guard Chauncey Billups (4) looks to make a pass during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks. (Feb. 23, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Carmelo Anthony has it easy.
Just his presence on the court sends fans into a frenzy. But the burden of making him and Amar'e Stoudemire look good together falls squarely on the shoulders of Chauncey Billups. Because of his experience, talent and desire to lead, the point guard is "the key" to turning the Knicks into playoff contenders and possibly champions, coach Mike D'Antoni believes. And Billups knows it.
"I am the guy with the ball, I am the guy that's going to make a lot of decisions, and it's tough," he said. "But we really don't have time. We've got to get it going fast. No excuses."
Thursday's practice was a vital step for Billups, who is getting acclimated to D'Antoni's system. Having played for six NBA teams in 14 seasons - including the Nuggets and D'Antoni in 1998-99 - he knows a thing or two about learning on the fly. At the end of the day, he said, "it's all hoops."
When Denver re-acquired Billups from Detroit in November 2008, the Nuggets gained a leader they sorely lacked. He helped lead them to the Western Conference finals that season. And now D'Antoni hopes Billups, 34, can have a similar effect on the Knicks. "He takes that responsibility in the locker room and on the floor dear to heart," D'Antoni said. "If we want to win, we'll get on that same page pretty quick."
Some Knicks fans had forgotten just how talented Billups is. Others wondered what he'd bring to the table. "It seems like people forget sometimes, but don't worry about it," he said with a smile. "I like that. I like being that guy. That's how I thrive, that's what I do. I'll show them, man. It's cool."
He showed them, scoring 21 points (12-for-12 from the foul line) with eight assists and six rebounds in his debut. Said Donnie Walsh, "He did exactly what I expected him to do."
And Billups plans to show fans just how great he is for years to come. Though he planned to retire as a Nugget and join the team's front-office staff, he said he "absolutely" wants to end his career in New York.
"I would like to get that solidified," Billups said of his long-term future with the team. "But I'm going to let Andy [Miller], my agent, work on that and let me try to focus on getting this team better.
"When you look at the excitement, you look at the youth, the athleticism, the guys that we have and what we can do this year, and not even this year, going forward, man, why not?"
