Path Blazers make massive determination on HC Chauncey Billups

The Portland Path Blazers have been eradicated from playoff competition for a fourth consecutive 12 months, however they apparently nonetheless imagine of their coach.

Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the workforce on Sunday, in line with ESPN’s Shams Charania. Billups had been within the fourth and last 12 months of his earlier deal.

Portland additionally signed common supervisor Joe Cronin to an extension.

“Chauncey Billups is a superb chief, motivator and communicator that has labored tirelessly to ascertain an id for this workforce that has taken form over his time in Portland,” Cronin stated in an announcement. “I’m past excited to proceed this partnership with Chauncey and take this workforce to the following degree.”

The Path Blazers entered their regular-season finale in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday with a document of 35-46. They’ve improved late within the 12 months, nevertheless. Portland has a 22-18 document since Jan. 18 and has proven indicators of being headed in the fitting route.

Billups additionally issued an announcement within the wake of the information, saying that he’s assured the Blazers are “constructing this workforce the fitting means with a defensive-minded, hard-nosed, aggressive tradition.”

The Blazers have one of many youngest rosters within the NBA. There was discuss following final season that the workforce was not satisfied Billups was the fitting coach to guide their younger core, however they determined to stay with the 48-year-old. Although the Blazers didn’t make the playoffs, Billups responded with the workforce’s most victories in a season because it went 42-30 and reached the postseason in 2020-21.

Billups, a Corridor of Fame level guard, was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers for one season earlier than he was employed by Portland. Although he has a brand new contract, he’ll nonetheless be below important stress to guide the Blazers to the playoffs subsequent 12 months.