Round 2, Pick 11 Chauncey Billups PG, Detroit Pistons

Mark my words, Chaucey Billups will have a MONSTER SEASON this year. That is right faithful Dropping Dimes readers - you’re getting the scoop right here! How do I know this?  Well, Billups has a player’s option after this season, which means he can opt out of his contract at the end of this upcoming season and you know Billups is working for a raise!  When you get your annual review at your job, do you slack off in hopes to get a raise?  No, you work your arse off in hopes that the evil empire throws you a carrot for all your hard work.  Billups will work his tail off and earn that big pay raise. Billups must be licking his lips after seeing former teammate Ben Wallace getting $60 million for the next four seasons thrown his way during this past offseason. Billups is making $6 million this season and after an excellent ’06-’07 season, Billups will be shouting “SHOW ME THE MONEY!”

You’re So Money You Don’t Even Know It…

In his first year under Flip Saunders, Billups set career highs in points (18.5), assists (8.9 – 4th best in the NBA), 3 pointers made (2.3 – 5th in the NBA) and 3 point percentages (43.3% - 8th in the NBA). If your league counts Assist per Turnover Ratio then Billups is your man because he was #1 in the NBA (4.11). Billups is traditionally money from the free throw line (career FT 88.1%) and last season was no different as he made 89.4% of his 6.4 trips to the line. There was talk of MVP honors for Billups who was the engine that made the Pistons’ offense run. 

Yeah, yeah, I know that Billups is not the greatest ball hawk, averaging barely a steal per game (0.9).  What about his Field Goal % you ask? It is definitely not one of Billups strongest assets as last year his FG% was 41.8% (career FG% 41.0%). You would think that a player that excels from beyond the arc and the free throw line would do better from the field. His 3.1 rebounds per game are average amongst PGs.

Bottom Line:

Things can only get better for Billups going into his 2nd year under Flip Saunders’ offence and now playing for a contract.  I think you can expect him to set new career highs again. That means fantasy owners should be cashing in on at least 20 points and 9 assists and 2.5 threes per game from Chauncey Billups! 

Team Review:

Dirk and Billups are solid with the FT and 3 PT percentage. Roto owners will love the 3-pointers made with this lethal combo. However, I’ll still need to address the hustle stats for this team with later picks.

Other Team Members

1.2. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks