Charania: Blazers’ Next Coach Likely Kidd or Billups

On the day that Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts was dismissed, rumors about his replacement have been swirling like a hurricane in a blender. Several national media sources, connected to different members of the organization, have put forth possible candidates for the now-vacant position.

Into the fray comes Shams Charania of The Athletic, who published a piece after interviewing Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, suggesting that Lillard’s preferred candidates—thus likely the team’s as well—boil down to two choices: Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Head Coach Jason Kidd or Los Angeles Clippers Assistant Chauncey Billups.

Shams quotes Lillard:

“I like J. Kidd and Chauncey,” Lillard said, referring to Lakers assistant Jason Kidd and Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups.

A source close to Lillard says he prefers Kidd because of his previous head coaching experience in Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and his background as an Oakland point guard. But Portland’s management is intrigued by Billups, the former point guard who was an NBA Finals MVP with Detroit. It is believed the Trail Blazers will ultimately decide between Kidd and Billups.

Unfortunately, both of Lillard’s preferred candidates have a spotty history. Kidd also has a experienced controversy behind the scenes with multiple organizations and legal issues, including domestic violence and driving while intoxicated. Billups was named as a defendant in a sexual assault lawsuit during his playing days, which he settled.

Update:

In 2005, Jeff Benedict published a book called Out of Bounds: Inside the NBA’s Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime (Amazon Link Here) It included police reports with graphic descriptions of the medical condition and testimony of the plaintiff in the lawsuit against Billups.

We will not publish the exact details here, as even with trigger warnings, they are beyond the scope of readability in this kind of forum. Suffice it to say that they describe serious physical injuries, shock, and other grave details.

Eric Griffith has posted excerpts from Benedict’s account on Twitter. These come with a serious trigger warning. They are disturbing. If you wish further info, you can click on the Twitter thread here.