Los Angeles Clippers veteran Chauncey Billups’ career in jeopardy - NBA Update
Chauncey Billups career is in serious jeopardy after he was lifted out of the court by his teammates, in the game played against Orlando Magic on February the 6th. It has since been confirmed that the veteran guard has
torn his Achilles tendon.
Billups suffered the injury with 5:59 left in the last quarter of the 107-102 Los Angeles Clippers win. He fell on the court untouched as he tried to change direction after missing a 3 point shot. Afterwards, he was unable to stand
on his foot and had to be helped off the court by his teammates.
The severity of the injury was confirmed after the MRI on Tuesday in Cleveland. The injury will probably sideline him from the game for a year or so, which comes as a significant blow to Clippers as he had been playing a pivotal
role for them this NBA season.
The injury has also raised questions as to Billups ability, or will, to make a comeback in the game. The guard had considered retiring earlier this season and some suggest that the injury might prove too big a hurdle for Chauncey
to overcome.
The fiery veteran though says he isn’t going away anytime soon.
"I'm most definitely not retiring,'' Billups said in a telephone interview from a hotel in Cleveland to ESPN.com, where the Clippers will play the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.”The way my career has gone and the body of work I've
put in, I definitely want to walk out on both feet. I don't want to go out like this”.
Billups is scheduled to return to Los Angeles next week, where he will be consulting with the specialists before undergoing a surgery. He is optimistic about his recovery and has showed his determination to recover in the next
six months so that he might be able to attend the training camp next season
"With my work ethic, I'm going to get back to 100 percent,'' Billups said.”I've still got some good years left to play”.
The most unfortunate event left the Clippers poignant. He had contributed significantly in the team’s success this season; the backcourt was ruled by him and Chris Paul. He averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 assists per game, helping
the Clippers top the Pacific Division with 15-7 record.
The 35 years old has sailed through murky waters for most of his career, despite the fact that he was selected as third overall in the NBA 1997 draft. The veteran bounced between five clubs before finally settling with Detroit
Pistons where he established himself as one of the best point guards in the game.
Chauncey won the NBA World Championship with the Pistons but has since changed teams a few more times. Billups was waived by the New York Knicks through a provision in the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement before the current
season and afterwards joined the Los Angeles Clippers.
Randy Foye along with Mo Williams will now be taking Chauncey Billups' place in the upcoming matches, but Billups absentia will leave a gap that will be difficult to fill.
Tags: