Chauncey is still not 100%..

Chauncey Billups to have another MRI


By Jared Zwerling
Special to ESPNNewYork.com
Archive


It's been exactly one month and a day since Chauncey Billups strained his left knee in Game 1 of the New York Knicks' first-round series against the Celtics, but he's still not feeling 100 percent.
"I can't get on the court and really like grind, grind," said Billups, whose injury came while driving to the lane with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, and the score tied at 82. "I'm still not ready to do that, but I'm getting better though. At this point, I'm just kind of taking it easy, man."





Billups said he will be flying to New York in the next couple of weeks to have another MRI to make sure everything is healing properly. In the meantime, Mr. Big Shot is currently in Las Vegas for a few days assisting his trainer, Joe Abunassar, with working out several of the top guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft, including Kawhi Leonard, Alec Burks, Josh Selby and Malcolm Lee.
The labor negotiations between the owners and players are the last thing on Billups' mind.
"I'm going to let this process evolve however it will, and hope for the best," he said. "I'm not thinking about the lockout and I'm not thinking about if I'm going to play overseas or any of that kind of stuff. I'm just happy to be home [in Colorado], spending time with my family and enjoying the summer."
Billups is also happy to be back with the Knicks. On April 28, the team decided not to buy out his contract and picked up his $14.2 million option for the 2011-12 season.
"I'm just excited to be coming back and hopefully our team evolves into a championship-caliber team, depending on what other moves we make," Billups said. "I feel like we took a big step this year and upgraded the talent on the team. We have to start getting the proper pieces around and everybody locking in for a great cause."
The Knicks have the 17th pick in next month's draft, and one of those point guards Billups has been mentoring could be considered as his potential backup.
Jared Zwerling is a senior researcher for ESPN The Magazine and a regular contributor to ESPN

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StEpHoN_mArBuRy said:

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6564185

Still a good 4 months before BBall activities resume so I'm not sweating it.. But damn I guess that injury was serious business lol.

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Sprewell-Houston said:

I think he sucks. Taking way too many 3s, shooting when he should pass, not as good a defender as we thought, can't run the pick and roll with STAT, not enough assists in general, always injured.

Honestly why on earth did we sign a washed up has been PG for $14,2 million????

I'd rather take a guy like Ridnour for a year, until CP3, D-Will or Westbrook are available!

Billups on a minimum contract - ok
Billups at $14,2 million - insane!

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KBlack25 said:

My goodness - it surprises me how people continue not to understand the finances behind this move.

Losing Billups would not have cleared enough room under the cap to make a play at Ridnour or many other PGs of note, and certainly we wouldn't have the room to make a play at CP3, Deron or Westbrook. Billups at 14.2 million is almost entirely OVER the cap...which is why we kept him. If releasing Billups got us 14.2 million to SPEND we would have released him. But that's not what would have happened. We would have no Billups AND no cap room.

Picking up Billups gives us now a 14.2 mil expiring deal for a known player that can be moved as the major piece in ACQUIRING a big time player like CP3.

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KBlack25 said:

My goodness - it surprises me how people continue not to understand the finances behind this move.

Losing Billups would not have cleared enough room under the cap to make a play at Ridnour or many other PGs of note, and certainly we wouldn't have the room to make a play at CP3, Deron or Westbrook. Billups at 14.2 million is almost entirely OVER the cap...which is why we kept him. If releasing Billups got us 14.2 million to SPEND we would have released him. But that's not what would have happened. We would have no Billups AND no cap room.

Picking up Billups gives us now a 14.2 mil expiring deal for a known player that can be moved as the major piece in ACQUIRING a big time player like CP3.

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Sprewell-Houston said:

So you think New Orleans would take on his contract and then buy him out? I'm 100% sure he wouldn't play for another team if we trade him, either retire instantly or play one last time for his Nuggets.

What value do we have for New Orleans? Fields? Walker? Douglas? Picks in the region of 20th and later? You think that's enough to get Chris Paul? Fields, Douglas, Walker and 2 picks in the last third of the first round? I really doubt that.

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KBlack25 said:

My goodness - it surprises me how people continue not to understand the finances behind this move.

Losing Billups would not have cleared enough room under the cap to make a play at Ridnour or many other PGs of note, and certainly we wouldn't have the room to make a play at CP3, Deron or Westbrook. Billups at 14.2 million is almost entirely OVER the cap...which is why we kept him. If releasing Billups got us 14.2 million to SPEND we would have released him. But that's not what would have happened. We would have no Billups AND no cap room.

Picking up Billups gives us now a 14.2 mil expiring deal for a known player that can be moved as the major piece in ACQUIRING a big time player like CP3.

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Red said:

The first part I agree with, its obvious why CB was retained for one year.

But the 2nd part really has me shaking my head. Why do you and others INSIST ON constantly fantasizing about CP3? Why?

Are you brainwashed? Seriously, what are you thinking?

Here's my logical view on why clammoring for CP3 NOW is almost insane.

1. While I know it's feasible to afford CP3 IF we project the circumstances fall our way correctly that being a) the new cba b) CP3 does a Melo and forces his way with the "I won't sign an extension" thing

BUT RECALL, once a team gets wind of the we want him, he wants us, scenario... THEY WILL ASK FOR MANY PIECES that at this or that future point we can't afford. Why?

Just look at the Melo situation, 1 step back, 2 forward, in terms of having t sacrifice depth. Thus, acquiring CP3 via trade will not help us

OR

2. Without a valid big man and depth, I don't care what PG we acquire, it could be ****ing Derrick Rose and a Russell Westbrook Hybrid... WE WON'T WIN

Therefore given the fact the "serviceable" bigs USUALLY cost at least $4million plus, and given the fact that the demands of our projected Center include one that Rebounds, plays defense, is young, and can score more reliably than Jarred Jeffries WITH SIZE (> 6'10")

How is that even a possbility?

3. After coveting a certain player for 2+ years and failing, seeing a plan can go awry very quickly, considering the projected cost and necessity of not only a Center but bench depth, and finally considering the TWO max scorng options we have and how they performed WITH A less-than-skilled-as-CP3 guard...


WHY THE F*CK ARE YOU and others seriously and vehemently pushing For CP3.

Ok you're a fan I get that. Ok IF he somehow falls in our lap- yep I get that too... but you just expressed a basic working knowledge of NBA roster finances...

Why the contrary proposal to visit that again? Why? Do you want to win a chip or fill an arena, because that plan sounds like the latter.

Please explain.

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KBlack25 said:

Why are YOU so angry?

I agree we still need size and rebounding - but the goal (I believe) is to either get another star or acquire depth. The only way we could do it is to have a big-time expiring deal to pair with other pieces of talent. That is the only way we can get players without hoping and praying one falls into our laps...

I'm not clamoring for CP3 - I said we could use Billups to acquire another star LIKE CP3...and I believe that is the plan. We can shop Billups $14 mil expiring to teams looking to cut salary and get some tax breaks. If nothing comes, nothing comes...but at least we will be in the market with even a tiny percent possibility as opposed to having no chance (which is the case if we don't pick Billups up).

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Red said:

Not angry at all, just saying, you and others keep with this CP3 stuff.

I would like an explanation as to how is acquiring CP3, bench depth, and a starting center possible? More so, how is it even feasible?

And what I mean is how can we get a starting big, a bench and him? How can anyone who assumes this is possible be taken seriously? Let alone one who thinks he is the key to a championship?

I'm sure he is talented, just as I'm sure we are in no position to even consider him realistically. Unless we want to field an expensive, entertaining, ouster. Because how are we going to have him + stat and melo? By surrounding them with garbage? How is that a formula for winning? Knowing how disgusting our defense is.

MIA has no depth, no bigs. Haslem is a PF who really is a bench player, on a team with stars who left a little room money wise. And they still need more. And even if they win have 2 hof'rs who play d, and we don't. They will be our direct competition to sign free agents, is that our model?

The best way to combat them and CHI can't be with a star PG, stat and Melo and no size or bench.

Please explain the feasibility of acquiring what we need? Or admit you'd rather be entertained and have the wish of a star PG be answered knowing we can't compete deep and you're cool with that.

Bigs are in demand and are expensive. Are you thinking a minmum contract Jared Jeffries type can work with a CP3 & co.?

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