The Top 50

#28 – Chauncey Billups
Billups was well along the path to draft-bust journeyman status when he landed in Detroit six years ago. Stints with the Celts, Raptors, Nuggets and T-Wolves hadn’t gone so swell and the former 4th overall pick’s best years looked to be behind him. Then outta nowhere came Mr. Big Shot, the deadly assassin alter-ego that possessed Billups’ body and began abusing every guard East of the Mississippi. A solid 6-3, he was one of the stronger points in the league and bullied his man on both ends of the court. He got his All-Stars and All-NBAs, and a Finals MVP after his Pistons conquered a Lakers team nobody picked them to beat. Life was good.

Years later though, it’s like Detroit was happy with their first bite of the good life. Through six straight trips to the Conference Finals, they’ve coasted in an out of their comfort zone; playing some of the best ball in the L when it suits them, but succumbing to complacency way too often. They’re definitely no longer the team to beat in the East, and with most of their core on the wrong side of their prime, they’ll need some inspiration to make another run at a title through a much stronger conference. Namely, they’ll need Billups to play his best and keep the squad on point. Rasheed might be their heart and soul but Chauncey’s their brain, and their best player. The squad’s a well-balanced attack, but he’s the most vital cog to the machine.

The last time Billups’ career was at a serious crossroads and he appeared to be washed, he responded with the best ball of his life during a triumphant ascension to the top of the NBA. He’ll need a similar performance if he wants to get back there.