Terry Foster: Billups Went Through Fire, Came Out On The Other Side
By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
We are often left on the outside when it comes to the inner workings of a professional sports team.
Arguments ensue. Frictions rise. Things can get ugly between coaches and players.
That wasn't the case when Chauncey Billups played the point for the Pistons under famed coach Larry Brown. We saw the stench of a sour relationship turn into one of admiration and respect.
When Brown came before the 2003-2004 season, he saw a very talented guard in Billups. He could handle, he could shoot and he could dominate. He just did not know how to win.
The crash course that Billups went through under Brown was mentally taxing and filled with anger. Billups hated Brown. He cursed the ground he walked on and often let us know about it.
Brown was the same. He did not sugar coat the process. When Billups wasn't performing or advancing like he wanted, he let the world know about it.
Billups was great some nights. He was bad other nights. We are seeing the same today as lead guard Reggie Jackson goes through the training process under coach Stan Van Gundy.
Jackson is wonderful some nights and confused other nights. That is why we see the Pistons blister and bomb.
One day, after all the turmoil, Billups greeted reporters with a smile. Brown better understood him and Billups better understood Brown. It was like they passed through a giant waste land and finally discovered an oasis filled with gold.
Billups did not always dominate but he learned to play the right way, something Brown preached.
It was not always pretty but the Pistons won the title in 2004 and Billups became the third Pistons guard to win NBA Finals MVP. The others were Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars.
"He was probably the toughest coach on point guards that I ever played for," Billups said during a conference call with reporters. "I'm thankful and happy that I was mature enough and ready for that kind of coaching. That being said, it wasn't always easy. I would come home at night, sit in the mirror and talk to myself sometimes because I needed to hear it. It drove me crazy and I loved it and I love Larry Brown."
It took a while for that love to come, but Billups' number is soon to be in the rafters. It is the right decision by the Pistons.
(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)