No footsteps to walk in. No experiences to learn from. No one to talk to.
That was the reality for Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups when he left Colorado for the NBA eight years ago. Now, Billups is making sure his cousin, Southern Cal football star LenDale White, doesn’t have that problem. He’s serving as LenDale’s mentor.
“I didn’t have that,” Billups said. “Really, I think that’s what led to me having so many struggles early in my career. I didn’t have anybody really to teach me how to be a pro. No one to teach me how to work. Teach me how to do this and that.”
Billups and White are related through White’s grandmother and one of Billups’ aunts. Even with the NBA and college football seasons in full swing, the cousins talk at least twice a week.
“I try to stay on him and keep him focused,” said Billups, an ex-George Washington High School star. “All the stuff he’s going through or about to go through, I’ve been through it. Some of the bumps and bruises that I’ve taken, he won’t have to take if he just listens.”
The humble Billups has advised White to tone down his swagger. The 2004 NBA Finals MVP also is teaching his cousin other keys in transitioning from college star to the pros.
“If they wanted him to shoot 1,000 jumpers, he would shoot 2,000,” said White, who starred at Chatfield. “He made a point that he was going to be the best he can be and that hard work pays off. That’s pretty much what he preaches.”
Billups was on his sixth NBA team, the Pistons, in his sixth season when he finally had his breakthrough season, averaging 16.2 points in 2002-03. Since that time he has developed into one of the top point guards in the NBA.
While White could be “the man” on most college teams, he is stuck in the shadows of Heisman Trophy candidates Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in the same backfield. To get over that, Billups has told White to run with “a vengeance” when he gets his carries and “keep his mouth shut” if he’s unhappy.
“You can’t be mad if they put this guy on (ESPN’s) ‘SportsCenter,”‘ White said. “You can’t do any of that. All you can do is bust your butt week in and week out. And if you do that, things will take care of itself.”
Billups left Colorado after his sophomore season and was chosen with the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. Now that White is eligible for the NFL draft and is a projected first-rounder, expect Billups to play a role in his cousin’s decision whether to turn pro after this season.
“I always tell him, ‘You got a game next week. You got bigger things to take care of. You got class, practice. When that bridge comes, hey, I’m going to help you cross it,”‘ Billups said. “‘But right now, don’t worry about that. It messes up your focus for right now. Of course you’re going to think about it a lot.’ But I told him, ‘Don’t let it consume (you). Don’t let that make you be someone you’re not.”‘
Said White: “You can’t get that far ahead of yourself because you’ll go out there fumbling and you won’t have the season that you want. You got to keep a level head.”
Sounds like White is listening to his mentor.
Scouting the Classic
Numerous NBA scouts are expected to be at the Pepsi Center on Saturday for the Colorado Classic, which includes Colorado State vs. Denver and Colorado vs. St. Mary’s (Calif.). NBA prospects on hand include Denver senior center Yemi Nicholson, Colorado sophomore guard Richard Roby, Colorado State forward Jason Smith and St. Mary’s senior forward Daniel Kickert.
“The Colorado Classic is a must-see for NBA scouts this year,” Pistons director of scouting George David said. “I would expect close to all the NBA teams to be represented.”
Footnotes
Former New York Knicks star Allan Houston, 34, retired in October with lingering knee problems. But if Houston’s knees feel better in a year or two, he might make a comeback. “I’d still have to give it probably another year or at least two,” Houston said. “I’d just have to. If there was an ideal situation for me to fall into, I haven’t really closed the door on that.” … Though Nuggets big man Nene is sidelined with a major knee injury, expect him to garner a contract upward of $50 million over five years in free agency next year, according to at least one NBA executive. … Word is a handful of NBA teams have inquired about Nuggets guard Earl Watson, who signed a five-year, $29 million contract in the offseason and can’t be traded until Dec. 15. …
NBA insiders say keep an eye on the job status of first-year Seattle SuperSonics coach Bob Weiss, whose team is off to a disappointing start. …
Two weeks ago, Nuggets dancer Shalisa Pouw had three years of Nuggets dance uniforms stolen from her car. It could take two months to get replacements. The only time she can dance at games now is if she borrows an absent dancer’s uniform or on a special occasion, such as today’s game against Memphis when the dancers wear retrodigs. “It’s ruined most of my season for dance,” Pouw said. “Two months is a long time. I just would love my stuff back. It’s really no use to anyone except me or someone else who dances for the Nuggets.” If you have any information about Pouw’s uniforms, please call 303-405-1123.
Melo’s hit list
Considering that Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is engaged to MTV veejay LaLa Vasquez and considers rapper Jadakiss one of his best friends, it’s not a surprise that he is a huge rap fan. The following are Anthony’s top five rappers of all time.
1. Notorious B.I.G.
2. Jay-Z
3. Jadakiss
4. Tupac
5. Nas
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com. Spears talks NBA hoops on ESPN 560 AM each Thursday morning and afternoon.
