CHAUNCEY BILLUPS

The pandemic and vaccination rates were the talk of the NBA on media day Monday.

Becky Hammon can’t wait for the time when it’s normal for women to interview for head coaching positions in the NBA and their gender isn’t the story.

Damian Lillard says he has not requested a trade but wants the Portland Trail Blazers to be more urgent in their pursuit of a championship.

Jamahl Mosley has agreed to become the new coach of the Orlando Magic.

Cryptocurrency platform StormX will have a brand presence on the Blazers' game and practice jerseys and in-arena signage.

The Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks have hired new coaches with stellar records as players — but questionable off-court problems. The moves have roiled the typically progressive NBA.

Trail Blazers Billups Basketball Chauncey Billups talks to media after being announced as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers at the team's practice facility in Tualatin, Ore., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. He addressed that chapter Tuesday, though when he was asked to elaborate on some of those comments the Trail Blazers refused to let him answer. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. Olshey, who as former GM of the Clippers claimed Billups off waivers in 2011, addressed Billups’ lack of coaching credentials. He believes Billups has potential, plus thinks he will mesh well with Blazers guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

The Portland Trail Blazers went into damage-control mode while introducing Chauncey Billups as their new head coach.

PORTLAND, Ore. — (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Chauncey Billups as their new coach. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. “Portland is a special place and a unique franchise," Billups said in a statement Sunday night. The Blazers fired Terry Stotts shortly after the team was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs. Stotts coached the Blazers for nine seasons, taking them to the playoffs in the last eight.

The Athletic reported that Billups had accepted the job but contract negotiations were ongoing. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. The Blazers were also interested in Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, as well as San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon. Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration after it was reported that Blazers guard Damian Lillard had endorsed him for the job. Billups, 44, was hired as an assistant under Clippers coach Tyronn Lue last November.