A time will come during the world championships in Turkey -- a close game, possibly with a medal at stake -- when Team USA, from players to coaches, will rely on Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups.
"He's been through every experience as a player," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski says of 33-year-old point guard Chauncey Billups (4).
For his experience. For his knowledge. For his leadership.
Billups, 33, is the elder statesman of a team with an average age of nearly 25. He is to this U.S. team what Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd was to the 2008 gold medal-winning Olympic team.
When the USA opens play Saturday against Croatia (noon ET, ESPN Classic), Billups will be "as important as anybody on our team because he's the leader of the team," coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
"He's been through every experience as a player, and he's been successful," Krzyzewski said. "He and I have a very close relationship, and we talk about the team all the time."
That relationship began in earnest in 2007, when Billups worked out with Team USA in preparation for the 2008 Games.
"We have a mutual respect for one another," Billups said. "We can always be honest and frank with each other."
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SOURCE: USA Today
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