They were 26-26 on February 3, then went 7-23 the rest of the way. The offense sputtered, the defense was weak and the Blazers blew more leads of 10 points or more than any other NBA team. Injuries did hobble his team in 2022-23, more than most, exposing an already thin bench. At the end of last season, center Jusuf Nurkić said the team still liked playing for Billups, adding, “I think everybody can be blamed, but I don’t think Chauncey can be.” A fan poll conducted by The Athletic had only 10% citing the coach as the chief reason for Portland’s struggles that ranked behind ownership, the general manager and the players.īillups, though, didn’t become a five-time All-Star and leader of the 2004 Detroit Pistons’ championship squad by ducking responsibility. These Blazers are at a different point – on the brink of an undeniable rebuild if Lillard goes – but all involved will be scrutinized for signs of improvement by one of the NBA’s most discerning fan bases.īillups, who will turn 47 Monday, largely has had the players and, it seems, many of the fans on his side. 500 in 2007-08, then made the playoffs the next three years. Coming on the heels of eight consecutive playoff appearances under predecessor Terry Stotts, it’s the roughest stretch of 164 games since the 2005-07 teams went 53-111 in coach Nate McMillan’s first two seasons. Hired in June 2021, he’s led the Blazers to a 60-104 record in two seasons. It’s a pivotal time for Billups, entering his third season. The Blazers coach is charged with a group of impressionable young players watching every move. For now, Lillard is on the roster whatever personnel might come in return are elsewhere. Most observers think the seven-time All-NBA point guard will be dealt sooner than later, but that’s a presumption Billups cannot hold with training camp fast approaching. Are storms in the offing or just shade? Will Lillard get traded soon, eventually, or … not at all? ![]() The unsettled Damian Lillard situation hangs over this team like a cloud. Not so, however, for Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. Strengths, weaknesses, stars, needs, goals, you name it. Chauncey Billups enters a critical 3rd year in Portland with the franchise facing major questions.īy now, most NBA coaches know with a good degree of certainty what their teams will and won’t have as they head into the 2023-24 season.
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