Miami – Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas hit countless big shots throughout his illustrious NBA career with the Detroit Pistons.
So, too, did Joe Dumars, Dave Bing, Bill Laimbeer, Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson and George Yardley in the 57-year history of the franchise that began in Fort Wayne, Ind.
But of all the great names in team history, Dumars said he probably would choose one player – Denver’s own Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups – if he needed a game-winning play.
“I don’t know if there has been a more clutch guy in Detroit Pistons history than Chauncey,” said Dumars, now the team’s president of basketball operations. “That includes myself, Isiah. We’ve done some great things here. But Chauncey has done it down the stretch time and time again more than anybody I’ve seen.”
The latest line added to Billups’ résumé was four free throws in the final 15.5 seconds of the Pistons’ 88-82 Game 7 victory over Miami on Monday in the Eastern Conference finals.
Those free throws allowed the defending NBA champions to advance to the Finals against San Antonio, starting Thursday.
“I have more confidence in him than anybody,” said Pistons forward Antonio McDyess, who also played with Billups for the Nuggets.
Billups had an up-and-down Eastern finals. But when the pressure was the greatest, in Games 6 and 7, he came through.
“There is nobody out there I like in the clutch more than Chauncey, whether it’s on the free-throw line or having to make a play or make a shot,” Dumars said. “Put the ball in his hands and let him make plays. He’s going to make shots, find people and make his free throws.”
Miami’s crowd was at a fever pitch with Billups at the line in the final seconds of Game 7. It didn’t faze Billups, who said he learned to shoot under pressure in high school at Denver’s George Washington. “Just like the Thunderdome on Saturday afternoons,” said Billups, 28, a star guard at Colorado.
It wasn’t until he joined the Pistons, however, that his “Big Shot” nickname took hold. He received it from Rick Carlisle, at the time Detroit’s coach, after making key baskets during the 2002-03 season.
“Every time it came down to a late-shot situation, he always gave me that freedom to make the shot or make the play,” Billups said. “And I came through a lot of times – not all the time. But it’s a nickname that I’ve grown to love.”
His performance in last year’s NBA Finals upset of the Lakers sealed his reputation.
While Billups may be known as “Mr. Big Shot,” in Denver he is affectionately known as “Smooth” – a moniker he received playing basketball in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. He even has a “Smooth” tattoo.
“Smooth is the one I take the most pride in,” Billups said. “I love it. I love it. I think it’s the confidence that I have. Not being scared.”
Billups’ next challenge is repeating his Finals MVP showing of a year ago, when he averaged 21 points and 5.2 assists. During the first three rounds of this season’s playoffs, he has averaged 18 points and 4.1 assists and shot 42.5 percent from the field.
Making it to the Finals was something Billups dreamed of as a kid learning the game in Park Hill. It took him seven NBA seasons. He said he feels blessed to make it back so soon.
If Dumars has his way, the Pistons will be blessed if they have “Mr. Big Shot” with the ball in his hands and the game on the line.
“It’s what I dreamt about growing up in my neighborhood, saying one day, ‘I’m going to make it and I’m going to leave a stamp on it.’ I’ve always felt that,” Billups said. “It’s a great feeling to know that we’re the only game on. It’s an unbelievable experience.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
