While the big NBA news in Los Angeles this week was the Clippers' addition of Chris Paul, and rightfully so, it was easy to overlook the other All-Star point guard acquired by the Clippers during the week. Chauncey Billups, who was the first player to date acquired via the new amnesty process, held court on Friday at Clippers' practice.
Billups was waived by the New York Knicks, who are now spared the cap relief of his $14.2 million salary for the 2011-2012 season. The former All-Star point guard was angry at first and even considered retirement. But after a few days Billups changed his tune.
"I'm not the kind of guy who has one foot in and one foot out... and I'm in. I'm all in," Billups said on Friday. "You usually waive guys who are disruptions or who can't play. I'm not either of those."
Billups, who will be the starting shooting guard on the new-look Clippers, will practice on Saturday. Steve Perrin at Clips Nation likes having a pair of point guards in the backcourt:
Even if Chris Paul will be playing point guard for the Clippers, Billups doesn't consider himself an off-guard. He's a lead guard also, a playmaker, and he doesn't see any problem with that. With two such playmakers on the floor, the Clippers will be a very dangerous offensive team to be sure. The only issue with playing two "point guards" is on defense, where Billups is big enough to handle the vast majority of twos in the league. So I happen to agree with Chauncey on this one: the lack of a traditional shooting guard on this roster is not a big problem.
The Clippers will play an exhibition game at Staples Center on Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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