Quick Post: On Chauncey Billups' Retirement

It's not a huge surprise, but the great Chauncey Billups made it official yesterday when he announced his retirement from the NBA.  An unrestricted free agent since the Pistons declined to pick up his $2.5 million option in July, Billups had quietly mulled continuing his career with other teams, including the reinvigorated Cleveland Cavaliers, but decided that 'it's just time.'

The 17-year NBA veteran and Colorado basketball immortal leaves the game having accomplished what few can claim.  A five-time All-Star and 2004 NBA Finals MVP, he was legitimately one of the best players of his era, a smooth point guard known across the country for his clutch shooting and measured control of his team.  He won numerous honors, both collective and personal, while being a model citizen and ambassador of the game.  There were few like him.

After successful stints with seven different teams, it's easy to say Billups had national reach, but it's hard for me to think of him as anything other than Mr Colorado.  I'm not just talking about CU, he defined the pinnacle of the game from the high school ranks on up through the professional in the Centennial State. You'd be hard pressed to find of another athlete from a major sport who can claim to be a state's singular icon in the way Chauncey stood for hoops in Colorado. For basketball fans on the Front Range, his exploits were a source of continuing pride. 'Absolutely, we belong - just look at the King of Park Hill!'

But the wear of all those miles as a leading man had begun to show, as the star had only seen action in 61 games over the past three seasons.  With nearly everything possible accomplished in the game he loves, I imagine he retires with a clear mind and few regrets.

I'm sorry to say, but my CU fandom is purely ex post facto Chauncy's tenure in Black and Gold.  I have no direct memory of the Big Shot era in Boulder, no personal connection to the heroics that sent Bobby Knight on a cold, rainy walk home.  To me, Chauncey was always a professional athlete.  But even from my more neophyte view, it would be impossible to discuss the history of basketball at the University of Colorado without devoting volumes to #4.  Accordingly, there is simply no amount of gratitude that I can express that would live up to his contributions to the game in Boulder.  The best I can say is 'thank you Chauncey,' and hope he gets the successfully peaceful retirement that he has earned.

... also, a big damn statue outside of the CEC.

Monday Grab Bag: #TargetSale

Apologies for the lateness, but I'm a little distracted today.  The MLB All-Star rosters were announced over the weekend, which, in and of themselves, usually warrants little more than a yawn from yours truly.  This year, however, the AL has decided to wade into battle without their single greatest pitching asset: White Sox ace Chris Sale.

Yes, that Chris Sale.  He of the 8-1 record on a sub-.500 team, who just happens to lead the league in ERA+ (188) after posting a 96/16 K/BB ratio and a .87 WHIP over the first half. "Oh, but he missed a month on the DL!"  Who cares?  No one has been as dominant in the AL, even having missed five or so starts.  Chris Sale strikes FEAR into the hearts of AL hitters, in a way no one since Randy Johnson has. But, sure, let's make everyone vote to get him to Minneapolis.  *sigh*

This shit is so dumb.  The old line from pundits is always "well, who would you send home, then?" Anyone, everyone.  If Chris Sale is not a clear All-Star, then there is no longer a need to have an All-Star game.  The mere idea that this testament to all that is good with professional pitching is being forced to pander for votes is offensive.  The American League should be so lucky to have Chris Sale represent them. (Yes, I'm crafting the statue now.  It will be bronze, and no one will be able to get hits off of it, either).

---

Today in the bag, I'm talking the USMNT's loss to Belgium, the quarter final results from Brazil, and the possible end of an era in the NBA.

Click below for the bag...

Thursday Buff Stuff

While I frantically try and find an affordable plan to get to NYC, I thought I'd do a quick roundup of 3 items of interest to Buff Nation.

Alabama beats Miami to advance to NIT semi-finals - We now know that CU will face the tough Alabama Crimson Tide Tuesday evening in NYC.  Last night the Tide pressed a frazzled Miami Hurricanes to death to win comfortably 79-64.  It was an impressive defensive victory as they held Miami to 40% shooting, 13% from behind the arc, and forced 18 big turnovers.  The heavy use of the full-court press allowed Alabama to grab 29 points off of those turnovers, and they kept 'Canes at arms reach all night long.

'Bama just blew past Miami last night, looking comfortable all night long.  From: The Tuscaloosa News

When the NIT brackets were released, I circled Alabama as a difficult hurdle to avoid.  I'll have my preview up next week, but this will be a big challenge for the Buffs.  The Tide have 5 players who average over a steal a game, and they use their press to get a steal on over 14% of opponent possessions.  CU has proven that it can handle the press, at times, this year, but when it has faced teams who rely on it, Mizzou, they haven't also had to face a team so reliant on inside efforts on offense.  From scoring in the paint to offensive rebounding, the Buffs haven't had to face a challenge quite like Alabama this season.  Get ready for a tough game.

Wichita St will play Washington St in the other final.  Should CU slip by Alabama, they could end up playing in another Pac-12 preview game.

Seein' Chauncey in the Garden - When CU is trying to break that press of Alabama, they'll have at least one famous New York resident cheering them on.  Thorburn announced in the Camera today that hoops-father Chauncey Billups will be able to attend the semi-final game, and even the final should CU win Tuesday night.  This is a big boost for the players, as Chauncey had been a visible positive influence on the program when he was playing for the Nuggets and catching games court-side at the CEC.

The Buffs will get to see Chauncey again in NYC

Chauncey is still a big name in professional basketball circles, and just having him mentioned along with CU adds credibility to the program as a whole.  While the Buffs have gone 8-2 since Chauncey was dealt to the Knicks, one has nothing to do with the other, and it'll still be good to see Chauncey cheering on the team.

Naming rights for Folsom - In non-basketball news, one the most interesting development in off-field Buff-stuff was the "leaking" of the possibility of Frontier Airlines purchasing naming rights to Folsom Field.  Starting with a picture taken by Allbuffs poster GoldenBuff that clearly showed one of the jumbotrons in Folsom displaying "Welcome to Frontier Stadium," it was later confirmed by the Camera that CU AD Mike Bohn is actively discussing a naming rights deal.  The Camera speculates that the deal could be worth up to $1 million annually.

It's not often that a message board gets to scoop a daily newspaper.  Congrats GoldenBuff!

I, for one, love this idea.  The athletic department is always in need of cash, and selling naming rights is a quick and painless way to get at some quickly.  Some may balk at the idea of changing the name that has been in place for 67 years, but I can assure you, as someone who had to swallow changing Comiskey Park to US Cellular in 2003, that you do eventually get over it.  I initially bitched and moaned, forcing myself to say "Comiskey" when referring to the ballpark, but now I happily refer to it as "the Cell."  How many Denver-ites, and even the Denver Post, refused to utter the word "Invesco" when the Broncos opened up their new stadium 10 years ago?  Now there is no controversy, and rational people use either name interchangeably.

Additionally, something like "Frontier Stadium" isn't as garish a possibility as some of the newer naming rights deals have been, most notably "Papa John's Cardinal Stadium" in Louisville.  Frontier Airlines is a semi-local company, who has been an advertising partner with CU for a long time, so what I'm saying is it could be worse and it's only a name.  It won't change the heart and character of the stadium, and I don't think Fred Folsom would mind if the money was put back into the program. 

In the words of Steve Miller, "take the money and run."