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Chauncey Billups Leaves Lasting Legacy

Chauncey Billups was a Clipper for two seasons but his impact on the team will last a lifetime. Known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his too many to count clutch shots over his career, Billups retired from the NBA yesterday after a remarkable 17-year career.

You name it, Chauncey did it. Win a championship, All-Star Game, All-NBA team, NBA Finals MVP, All-Defensive Team and Teammate of the Year Award.  Over his career, he averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists in 1043 games (937 starts). He also appeared in 146 playoff games (143 starts) with averages of 17.3 points and 5.7 assists.

The numbers, the awards and the big shots put Chauncey in an elite category of guys who have played in the NBA and no doubt will make a great cause for the Hall of Fame. However, it is the impact that Chauncey Billups had on his teammates that puts him in a class of his own.

“In a league that’s filled with fierce competition and unfortunately at times jealousy, a veteran guard named Chauncey Billups took me under his wing and told me what it means to be a professional,” Clippers All-Star guard Chris Paul said. “He always taught me to help the next guy coming up behind you.”

Billups spent two seasons with the Clippers (2011-2013) and although his numbers weren’t up to his standard (15.0 ppg in 2011-12, 8.4 ppg in 2012-13) due to injuries and limited games, his impact helped shape the future of this young Clippers team into what it is now, a championship contending team with a dynamic core of guys.

“Chauncey taught me things on and off the court, most importantly, he taught me how to be a professional,��� Clippers center DeAndre Jordan said. “Words cannot describe how much he helped me change my path.”

“One of the highlights of my career was the night I found out I would get to play alongside of Chauncey,” Paul said. “Thank you Big Shot, I cannot wait to be at your Hall of Fame Ceremony!”