Chauncey Billups

In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons faced the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the great David and Goliath matchups of all time. The Lakers, only one season removed from a championship three-peat, featured Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, with a supporting cast fortified by Derek Fisher, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone. The Pistons countered with Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben and Rasheed Wallace, and their fearless leader, Chauncey Billups. Mr. Big Shot was Mr. Everything in the Finals. For the series, he averaged 21 points and 5 assists, but what really earned him the Finals MVP that year was his leadership. Billups believed in the team-oriented, defense-first mentality. After bouncing around the League for several years, Billups found a home in Detroit where his blue-collar work ethic left The Motor City reeling. Billups was a five-time All-Star, two-time All-Defense, and three-time All-NBA. In 2010, USA Basketball added a gold medal at the FIBA World Championships thanks to Billups’ veteran leadership.