Team USA took on Brazil yesterday in our first real test during the FIBA competition this summer. America won by two points. Phew. 3-0, baby! What do I take away from the game? Something I have felt and believed for a few years now that, "Mr. Big-Shot" Chauncey Billups needs to have his name revised to, "Mr. Ball-Hog" ASAP.Forever engraved in my mind is an image of Billups from this past NBA season which defines my assertion that his nickname needs a makeover. The Nuggets were playing the Cavs and the game was tight the entire way. Melo was on fire, and dominant for Denver. With the seconds ticking away at the end of regulation Billups was bringing the ball up with the score tied. Melo, open in the front court, called for the rock. Billups, with a looked that screamed, "I'm Mr. Big Shot, I got this," waved Anthony off, dribbled the clock out and jacked up a brick as time expired. Classic. In OT, Melo drained a 17 footer in the face of King James at the buzzer to win what was maybe the best game of season. Ruthless.
I flipped when I witnessed Billups wave off Melo that night. Similarly, I flipped yesterday when I witnessed Billups call his own number over and over again down the stretch in a close game, miss bad shots, and refuse to pass to better scorers in Durant and Rose. Painful. If Carmelo leaves Denver this season Chauncey's career is finished. He had some great years with Detroit in which he hit a few clutch shots but every hog has his day.
Who do you think you are, Mr. Ball-Hog?
Today's game against Iran was a little better, but only because Coach K had Chauncey on the bench for a while. At one point he had Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon all on the court at once. Fantastic. Crazy that he's the one doing so much for the positional revolution right now.
ReplyDeleteMuch better. Although, Iran was not all that fantastic, to be frank.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest loss for this team might even be Mike D. on the bench.
This is so stupid. He's far from a ball hog. You bring up the Cleveland game but keep in mind that his go ahead bucket late in the fourth is also a reason why they won that game. So WTF are you talking about. He's still Mr. Big Shot and you must respect that.
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