Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons retired the jersey of former point guard Chauncey Billups. The ceremony took place during halftime of the Pistons’ 103-92 loss to Billups’ hometown Denver Nuggets. Nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot”, Billups lead the Pistons to six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 2003-2008, including two consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2004-2005, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 with Billups winning Finals MVP.
Billups’ journey from the University of Colorado to NBA Champion and Motor City legend began as anything but a joyride. Billups played for four different teams after being drafted third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. After a career resurgence playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2000-2002, Billups signed with the Pistons as a free agent. He chose to wear the number 1 as he saw his signing with the Pistons as his one shot to continue his career in the NBA. It is apparent that “Mr. Big Shot” made his last one his best.
