The Portland Path Blazers have been eradicated from playoff rivalry for a fourth consecutive yr, however they apparently nonetheless imagine of their coach.
Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the group on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Billups had been within the fourth and last yr of his earlier deal.
Portland additionally signed normal supervisor Joe Cronin to an extension.
“Chauncey Billups is a good chief, motivator and communicator that has labored tirelessly to ascertain an id for this group that has taken form over his time in Portland,” Cronin stated in a press release. “I’m past excited to proceed this partnership with Chauncey and take this group to the following stage.”
The Path Blazers entered their regular-season finale in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday with a report of 35-46. They’ve improved late within the yr, nevertheless. Portland has a 22-18 report since Jan. 18 and has proven indicators of being headed in the proper route.
Billups additionally issued a press release within the wake of the information, saying that he’s assured the Blazers are “constructing this group the proper manner with a defensive-minded, hard-nosed, aggressive tradition.”
The Blazers have one of many youngest rosters within the NBA. There was discuss following final season that the group was not convinced Billups was the right coach to steer their younger core, however they determined to stay with the 48-year-old. Although the Blazers didn’t make the playoffs, Billups responded with the group’s most victories in a season because it went 42-30 and reached the postseason in 2020-21.
Billups, a Corridor of Fame level guard, was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers for one season earlier than he was employed by Portland. Although he has a brand new contract, he’ll nonetheless be below important stress to steer the Blazers to the playoffs subsequent yr.
