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Scott Howard-Cooper: Clippers say Chauncey Billups is day-to-day with strained groin suffered Tuesday at Sacramento. Clips play 76ers on Wednesday at Staples. Twitter @SHowardCooper

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Not only that, the Clippers now have the fifth-best record (46-22) in the West, half a game behind the 47-22 Denver Nuggets . "We're not playing well enough right now," Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We're not guarding hard enough right now. We're not physically and mentally tough enough, especially when we have to be, in the fourth quarter. And that's definitely a concern." Another concern for the Clippers: Chauncey Billups suffered a right groin strain early in the second quarter and didn't play the rest of the night. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Vinny Del Negro, Chauncey Billups 

But Billups would be lying if he said he still doesn’t yearn to play point guard. Billups has been given an opportunity recently because Bledsoe has been sidelined the past three games with a sore left calf and is expected to miss Tuesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. “I love [playing point guard], man, I love it,” Billups said. “That’s obviously my natural position. Just having the ball and being able to make decisions and having something to do with what we run and how we execute and being able to direct out there, it’s second nature to me. So, of course, it’s very fun for me to be back in that position.” “It’s great for me. It’s great to do what I do. It’s been great to be able to do that, but we look forward to [Bledsoe] coming back. We really need him.” ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

Apparently when the Clippers played Toronto, Billups had dinner with Lowry and impressed upon him that the Raptors must have a lot of faith in him to move Calderon. Billups also suggested he take full advantage of that trust and not screw up the relationship a second time. Sulia

Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, Kyle Lowry, Chauncey Billups 

Marc J. Spears: Clipper Chauncey Billups, a member of 3 USA teams, named an athlete representative for USA Bball's Men's Development National Team Committee Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, USA Basketball 

The Los Angeles Clippers plan on having forward Blake Griffin and guards Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups and Jamal Crawford in uniform and playing Friday night against the Miami Heat, a team source said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford 

Chauncey Billups, battling tendinitis in his left foot, "had a really good workout" Sunday that included running "up and down the court," but the veteran guard's return also remained unknown, Del Negro said. "There's really no timetable," Del Negro said, adding that it would depend on how Billups' foot reacts when the five-time All-Star begins practice that includes physical contact. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

There still is no scheduled date for the return of guard Chauncey Billups, who has missed nine games because of an injured left foot. But he offered some interesting perspective on the difference from when he was out last season with a left Achilles' tendon tear. "Oh, it's tough," he said. "It's really tough. It's easier this year because I know I will be out there playing at some point. Last year there was just no hope. This year I know I'll be playing." There is more than a flicker of light at the end of this journey. "There sure is. A bright one too," Billups said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Billups admitted he still doesn't understand the trade, although he is still in contact with Dumars. "We haven't talked in depth about the actual trade, nor do I really (want to)," Billups said. "He's in his position. He's the man, He makes the calls. The players move accordingly after that. "I'm not in that position. It is what it is. I still don't get it. You see the results. You know what I mean? That's how it is." Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Chauncey Billups 

Still, Billups is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. A poll of general managers named him as the best coaching candidate among current players. Billups didn't rule out a coaching or front-office position. "I got enough experience at dealing with different egos and different personalities and game-time situations, so I could do it," Billups said. "I could demand the respect of the guys on the team, which I think is a big deal as a coach. "So I think I have some good characteristics, which is probably what most of the GMs thought, too. So we're just going to see." Detroit Free Press

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

After a brief pause, Billups gave a thoughtful answer to the question. “I will just say this, first and foremost: No matter what happens, I’m a lifetime Piston. I always feel like I’m a lifetime Piston,” Billups told the Free Press this morning at the Palace. “As you know, I would have loved to retire a Piston when I was here, but that really wasn’t in the cards. “You never say never to any situation. I got nothing but great memories about here and winning, and this building was on fire. I would like for my memories to stay like that.” Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

Vincent Goodwill: CB on being a GM after retirement: "I think I can deal with anything, and anybody. My personality, I've seen it all and done it all." Twitter @vgoodwill

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

Billups noted the young talent on the Pistons' roster at that time, namely Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, and his belief the Pistons' success hadn't yet run its complete course, despite losing in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the previous three years. "I still had some great, great years left," Billups said. "I never wanted to leave, even though I was home (Denver) and it was good to be home, I always wanted to be a Piston. I wanted to retire a Piston." If it sounds like a conflicted man having trouble comprehending the "why" behind a move that's occurred so many times in his career, you're right. "I'm still … Even though I'm over it, I still don't get it," said Billups with a slight chuckle. "It wasn't like I was 36 or 37 and I couldn't rock anymore. I was still rocking. I was still in my prime." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Chauncey Billups 

In a career full of crossroads, having been traded a whopping five times, he faced another one last February when he tore his left Achilles tendon against Orlando, the same injury that ended Pistons legend Isiah Thomas' career — ironically against the same team, except Billups, then 35, was two years older than Thomas. Hanging it up, though, never crept into Billups' mind. "Not one time did I think about retiring, not once," Billups said. "That's just part of my background, it's how I'm built. I've heard the people talking, (saying) 'it ain't gonna work.' Don't get me wrong, it fueled me and helped my motivation but had nothing to do with me coming back. I have some good years left and that's what I'm gonna show." Detroit News

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

Chauncey Billups had a brief exchange with Calderon. "Come June you will be able to put yourself in a good position to be with a winning team," Billups told him. ElMundo.es

Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Jose Manuel Calderon, Chauncey Billups 

The Clippers, who are 12-6 overall and winners of four games in a row, don't expect him to play today against the Phoenix Suns or Sunday afternoon against the Toronto Raptors. They begin a four-game trip Tuesday against the Bulls in Chicago. "He was here and he got his therapy," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said Friday. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Is there a timetable for his return? Could he play (today)? a reporter asked. "Not that I know of," Del Negro said. How about Sunday? the reporter wondered. "Not that I know of," Del Negro said. "I'll listen to the doctors and the trainer, let him get his therapy and when he's ready to go, he'll tell me." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Clippers starting SG and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups is continuing to struggle with injuries, as he is out indefinitely with peroneal tendinitis in his left foot. This injury is unrelated to his ruptured Achilles tendon, which he missed most of last season with. Clips Nation

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

In the Clippers' 84 games since Billups signed with the club, they are 17-6 in while he's been active. While there's a ton of variables that also could affect that statistic, it's no secret the Clippers are a much better team with Chauncey than with Randy Foye last year and Willie Green this year. Officially, there is no timetable for Billups' return, but he is expected to return after the next two weeks. Clips Nation

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

After scoring 22 points on 5-for-15 shooting and adding seven assists in 60 minutes in his first three games of the season, veteran guard Chauncey Billups had to sit out Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. Billups said his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon was fine, but he's suffering from peroneal tendinitis in his left ankle. His ankle was so inflamed and weak he couldn't jump or change directions adequately during the Clippers' victory Monday over the Utah Jazz. The two injuries are unrelated, Billups added. "It's something I've been dealing with for a couple of weeks, actually even before I played my first game," he said. "It was something I really wanted to get checked out because I just feel like I've worked way too hard to get back to play hurt, you know what I'm saying? "Honestly, in that Utah game it was really painful. I couldn't really push off my left foot. It was just really weak. I couldn't explode off it. I couldn't cut. So, everything I was doing I was just getting through it. I should be better than this." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries