Detroit Pistons: Where should Chauncey Billups become head coach?
Last week is was reported that former Detroit Pistons icon Chauncey Billups was interested in a head coaching position.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reported late last week that former Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups had expressed interest in becoming a head coach in the NBA.
The Pistons are locked into their contract with Dwane Casey for a few more years, so fans shouldn’t hold their breath on his reunion in the Motor City. There was speculation that he could have joined the team’s front office before the hiring of Troy Weaver, but now there’s no position to be had.
So where does he land? The Pelicans, Bulls, Sixers and Pacers are each looking to find a new coach, and the Brooklyn Nets reiterated the lack of importance when it comes to experience the other day when they hired Steve Nash.
This means that the door is potentially wide open for Billups to come in and take over a franchise. In all likelihood it will be a team with a little less to lose, like the Bulls, who aren’t risking the possibility of wasting a championship window on a first time coach.
That’s not to say that he won’t end up being adequate, though. In 2012 a poll was conducted that saw General Managers vote Billups as the top active player who would one day make a good coach.
The way he saw the game as a player, it’s difficult to imagine that it wouldn’t translate into a coaching position. It’s one of the reasons that got Nash hired in Brooklyn.
Earlier this year, we ran a bracket to determine who the most beloved all-time Piston was, and sure enough, Billups won. He’s going to win over the hearts of fans wherever he goes.
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An under the radar vacancy to keep an eye on is with the Milwaukee Bucks. Mike Budenholzer is still gainfully employed, but as of this writing the Bucks are currently in a 3-0 deficit to the Miami Heat, and they’ve shown no sign that they won’t be swept.
This will mean that for the third time in his coaching career, Budenholzer will have flamed out in the playoffs, failing to make adjustments, failing to properly scheme against his opponents, and failing to properly manage minutes.
If Giannis declines a contract extension this offseason, there’s a legitimate chance that he walks in 2021. Milwaukee needs to make the most of what could potentially be his final playoff run with them, and it’ll involve a massive shakeup, starting with the head coach.
The Bucks won’t fire Buenholzer if they don’t feel they have a home run waiting on deck. Would they view Billups that way? At first glance it’s hard to imagine. Putting all of your faith into someone who doesn’t have any experience, the pressure is almost unfair.
But again, you remember that the Nets did this exact thing when they hired Nash a few days ago. It’s entirely within the realm of possibility.