HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chauncey Billups became the latest offender of the league’s policy against flopping on Wednesday, receiving a warning for this kickout of his left leg late in the Clippers win over the Jazz on December 3. It’s a clear flop, but the problem is that it worked to perfection. L.A. was trailing by two, and Billups was awarded three free throws for his actions. He made all three, and it helped the Clippers come away with a 105-104 victory. NBCSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Referees 

When Kenyon Martin initiated a revolt against coach Vinny Del Negro last season, Billups was instrumental in quieting it. I would imagine he'll be key in convincing CP3 to stay beyond this year as well, although Paul will no doubt be very conscious of the fact that Billups' playing career is nearly over. LAC would be well advised to keep him on in some capacity to help persuade CP3 they plan to continue moving in the right direction. Sulia

Vinny Del Negro, Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups 

Billups returned to the lineup Wednesday in a 101-95 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had missed more than nine months with a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot. His arrival was timely, as Los Angeles had lost four in a row. "I was just so excited to be back after such a long time," Billups said. "I've only played full court like three times since the injury, so knowing that, I'm trying to be patient with myself. It's going to take a little while. I got back pretty far ahead of schedule. To be honest, I was going to be back before this, but there were a couple of small setbacks, which was expected, because I had to recalibrate my body for playing an intense level of basketball." USA Today

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Madelyn Burke: VDN: "I'm just so proud of Chauncey. I've seen on a daily basis how hard he's worked (to get back)" #Clippers Twitter @MadelynBurke

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Marc J. Spears: Clippers guard Chauncey Billups will make his season debut tonight against Minnesota, a source tells Y! Sports. Billups will start at SG. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Dan Woike: #Clippers have announced Chauncey Billups will return tonight. @spearsnbayahoo first to report. Twitter @DanWoikeSports

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

It's expected to happen sooner rather than later, with CBSsports.com reporting last week Billups was targeting a return to the active roster sometime in the first week of December. Del Negro said there remains no timetable for Billups' return. "That's my CBS report for you," Del Negro said. Billups is scheduled to practice with his teammates today. "He'll be ready when he says he's ready to go," Del Negro added. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Chauncey Billups is shooting to return from Achilles surgery the first week of December, a move that will exponentially increase the Clippers' championship experience and make one of the deepest backcourts in the league even more crowded. If you're a team with title aspirations that's currently suffering through the late November doldrums with two straight road losses, as is true of the Clippers on both counts, this is a good problem to have. Look no further than the Knicks with Jason Kidd or the Clippers last season with Billups before he got hurt to understand what a title-tested point guard can do for a team. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

A person with knowledge of Billups' recovery said he's progressed to the point where he could be back in the lineup "any time," but the Clippers have not put a timetable on his return. After the game, Billups said next week might be unrealistic simply because he's yet to have a chance to log any substantial scrimmage time to test his leg and work himself back into game shape. He's eyeing the first week of December, and for good reason. The Clippers have two potential practice days after their Nov. 28 home game against Minnesota and two more after a Dec. 5 home game against Dallas. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups likely won't return during the Clippers' upcoming four-game trip. Grant Hill's return is still expected to occur after Billups'. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries, Grant Hill 

Although Chauncey Billups told ESPN on Wednesday that he expects to return next month from surgery to repair a torn left Achilles' tendon, the 6-3 guard and Del Negro said there is no timetable for his return. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups anticipates he will still be out a month and doesn't think he will be back on the court in November. "Barring any setbacks, I'm hoping in a month I'll be back out there," Billups said while on ESPN's NBA Countdown on Wednesday. "I'm back practicing with the team so everything is looking good." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

At this point, Billups said he's playing at game speed in practice without soreness in his Achilles' tendon. "It's been nothing in my Achilles'. My Achilles' is great. It's strong, powerful," Billups said. "It's recalibrating the rest of my body, getting it up to speed, telling it 'It's time to go.'" Since returning to full contact practice during the preseason, Billups' setbacks haven't had much to do with his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon. Instead, the setbacks have been stiffness in his back and a slight strain in his calf muscle. Billups also wants to make sure once he comes back, he stays back. "I could turn it on for a week or so and, boom, have to shut it down for a few days. I don't want to do that," he said. "I don't want to play two games and sit two games. I want to be back playing and be part of that team everyday." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Lamar Odom (bone bruise in left knee) and Chauncey Billups (recovering from left Achilles' tendon surgery) also didn't play against the Lakers. Del Negro said the hope is that Odom can play in the season opener. "He was trying to battle through [the injury], but it got to the point where it was not making sense," Del Negro said. "So that was when he changed the process for him. He knows he needed to be in better shape coming in. They tried to tax his body a little bit and this is the result." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

"I told Chaunce he gotta stop being selfish again and come on the road with us too," Chris Paul joked last season. "It's no secret, we are undefeated when he's there." Billups may not want to be a coach, but he wants to remain with the NBA. "I always see myself more behind the scenes, putting the team together, GM, president type of guy," Billups said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Chauncey Billups 

Chauncey Billups was voted by the NBA general managers as the active player who would make the best head coach someday. One little problem. Billups isn't quite interested. "It's an honor to have all the GMs think of me like that," Billups told The Times. "The irony in it is that I really never had a real desire to be a head coach in the NBA. Not to say that I won't, but I never really had that desire." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Chauncey Billups 

Mike Trudell: Clips coach Vinny del Negro said that Jamal Crawford and Chris Paul (rest) will not play tonight. Odom, Hill, Billups also out. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill 

Chauncey Billups, still recovering from surgery to repair a torn left Achilles' tendon, practiced Tuesday, but is not expected to play soon. Lamar Odom (bone bruise in left knee) and Grant Hill (bone bruise in right knee) didn't practice Tuesday, and neither is expected to play Wednesday. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Injuries, Grant Hill 

On the positive side, guard Chauncey Billups' return from surgery to repair a left Achilles' tendon tear is moving ahead of schedule. Billups has looked so good in practice and in Tuesday's scrimmage that the Clippers think he may return sometime in late November. "He's been practicing," Del Negro said. "And now it's just a matter of when he feels ready. He'll know it." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Eric Patten: Asked if he can go full speed Chauncey Billups said, "I've tested it (Achilles) time & time again. I'm strong & feel good in that regard." Twitter @EricPatten

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries