It has been reported that Chauncey Billups is interested in being a head coach. Should the Pacers give him a look?
The Brooklyn Nets just shocked the world by taking an NBA legend with no coaching experience in Steve Nash. This doesn’t happen all the time but when it does it could vault your team to the next level. Now, there is another NBA legend who is deciding to try his hand at coaching. The great Chauncy Billups is throwing his name into the gauntlet and seeing if he can come out of it with a job. Should the one time nemesis of the Pacers be considered for the head coaching spot?
Chauncey Billups does check all the boxes for a first-time coach. Billups is an NBA champion, Finals MVP, three-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive player. He was one of the best and smartest players at his position during his time in the league. Honestly, you can’t argue with those accolades.
Billups of late has been a huge part of the media, working for Espn’s NBA Countdown. Chauncey provided a steady voice for the program with his takes and insight on the league. Billups continues to do select game casts with the program.
Billups has also been looked at for executive roles in the league. In 2017, the Cavs had offered Billups a five-year deal to be the President of Basketball Operations for the organization. He ultimately turned the position down stating that it wasn’t the right time. This shows that he is highly regarded in NBA circles if he is being offered a job of that stature.
Now, the important question. Does Chauncy Billups fit what the Pacers are looking for in a head coach? I think he absolutely does. Kevin Pritchard said he would look at people he would deem as “program builders” and I think Billups fits that perfectly. Billups got traded his rookie season and had to fight his way into the league, eventually becoming an NBA champion. He knows the ups and downs of this league and what it takes to win. He has also played recently enough that the players will know and respect who he is. Personally, that’s who I would want to build around, someone who knows what it takes and has done it before.
The more important question remains. Will Pritchard get this deal done? Will a one-time foe become an ally and lead the Pacers to the promised land?