Chauncey Billups Wants To Return To Knicks, Says He's In 'Great' Shape
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Chauncey Billups hardly had a chance to live up to his "Mr. Big Shot" moniker in the NBA Playoffs.
If the Knicks' guard gets his way, he'll get to give it another go with New York in 2011-12.
"I would love the opportunity to really try it up with these guys," Billups said after Boston completed a four-game sweep to knock the Knicks out of the playoffs. "Not like play 30 games after a trade, like really have a season. Have an opportunity to really get a fair shake with these guys. I would love to."
Billups is under contract next season for $14.2 million, but only $3.7 million is guaranteed. The Knicks could choose to buy the guard out and make him a free agent.
The Knicks believed they could challenge Boston, but Billups was lost for good after straining his left knee in the final minute of Game 1 and Amar'e Stoudemire was never the same after hurting his back during warmups before Game 2.
"I feel like if I could have finished Game 1, we definitely come away with that win," said Billups. "I feel like we could have won the series, I really do."
Billups wants everyone to forget about his injuries this season. According to the guard, he's still in "great" NBA shape.
"This injury right now or the bang to the thigh, that has nothing to do with age. They did an MRI, looked at my knees and they look like they're 22 years old," said Billups. "I have no issue, my body's good, I'm in great shape. ... I don't believe at all that the two injuries I sustained that made me lose a couple games this season since the trade has anything to do with age or how many years I've played."
The Knicks' front office will have to make a decision not only on Billups, but also Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be talking to Donnie or (James) Dolan and Amar'e will be there and Chauncey will be there," Carmelo Anthony said after the loss. "Just trying to figure out some ways where we can become not just a playoff team but a championship-caliber team."
Should the Knicks bring Chauncey back? Sound off in the comments below...
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