Billups article

[David A Wickerham <aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu> (by way of wickerhd@govt.co.saratoga.ny.us (Dave Wickerham))]

Here's an article from the Denver Post about a proposed Billups trade.
Interesting to note the last line where Pitino supposedly told Chauncy that
he wouldn't be traded.  Anyway, after Jackson's 27 point, 1 assist
performance last night, you have to wonder if he's really a point guard.

****dave


************************************************************************
   
                        Billups struggles, sparkles
                                      
   By Jeff Goodman
   Special to The Denver Post
   
   Nov. 1 - BOSTON, Mass. - It looked as though it would be a game he
   would never forget. Instead, Chauncey Billups' NBA debut with the
   Boston Celtics Friday night was one he'll always remember.
   
   The former University of Colorado and George Washington High School
   standout and third overall pick of the 1997 NBA draft was nervous at
   the outset of the game and played like it, but turned things around
   after the break. Billups scored 11 second-half points, including seven
   in a three-minute stretch in the third quarter.
   
   "I guess it was rookie jitters, but I got over that after the first
   quarter,'' Billups said. "I missed my assignment because I was too
   busy watching Michael (Jordan) and his new shoes.''
   
   Billups finished with 15 points to help lead Boston to a stunning
   92-85 win over the defending champion Chicago Bulls.
   
   "I think we opened some eyes out there tonight and showed we are going
   to be a lot better than last year,'' he said.
   
   Billups has received criticism throughout the preseason for his
   inability to pick up Pitino's system and low shooting percentage, but
   was a crowd favorite by game's end.
   
   "I'm not as close as people think to learning this system yet,''
   Billups said. "I have never been that nervous before a game - not in
   college and not even when I played against the Dream Team.''
   
   Billups entered the game with 5:53 left in the first quarter and was
   not fortunate enough to make it through the rest of the quarter
   without being yanked by Pitino. He committed three turnovers and made
   just one of his three shots from the field before heading to the
   bench.
   
   It was apparent Billups' confidence began to soar late in the second
   quarter when he followed up an assist to Antoine Walker with a
   double-pump floater from the left side with 2:22 left.
   
   Billups wasted no time in making his presence felt in the second half,
   knocking down a 3-pointer just 11 seconds after being inserted midway
   through the third quarter.
   
   "Chauncey played an outstanding game and overcame his first-
   
   quarter jitters,'' Pitino said. "He really played with a lot of moxie
   in the second half.''
   
   The 6-foot-3 guard showed his ability to play the physical game
   moments later when he followed Bruce Bowen miss with a putback in the
   lane.
   
   "I just got out there and started playing without thinking and just
   played with instincts,'' he said.
   
   Billups has already said he is looking forward to rebuilding the
   Celtics program, much like he did at Colorado.
   
   And rumors that Boston has made Billups available for trade to
   hometown Denver and others don't seem to concern the rookie.
   
   "I've been hearing about it all day,'' Billups said, "but Pitino
   talked to me about it earlier and told me that he never thought for
   one second about dealing me.''
   
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