{"id":287050,"date":"2021-06-30T02:00:47","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T23:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/blazers-pr-shuts-down-question-about-chauncey-billups-allegation\/"},"modified":"2021-06-30T02:00:47","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T23:00:47","slug":"blazers-pr-shuts-down-question-about-chauncey-billups-allegation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/blazers-pr-shuts-down-question-about-chauncey-billups-allegation\/","title":{"rendered":"#Blazers PR shuts down question about Chauncey Billups allegation"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Blazers PR shuts down question about Chauncey Billups allegation<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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The Portland Trail Blazers refused a reporter\u2019s question about a decades-old sexual assault allegation made against recently named head coach Chauncey Billups.<\/p>\n

In his opening remarks during the introductory news<\/a> conference, the 44-year-old Billups said the alleged incident from 1997 \u201cshaped my life in so many different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

But when asked by The Athletic\u2019s Jason Quick to elaborate on that part of his statement, Billups remained silent while a member of the Blazers\u2019 public relations department interjected.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason we app<\/a>reciate your question,\u201d a Portland staffer said. \u201cWe\u2019ve addressed this. It\u2019s been asked and answered, so happy to move onto the next question here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blazers GM Neil Olshey remained silent throughout the commentary, taking a sip of water.<\/p>\n

Fans of the Blazers have slammed the organization for hiring Billups, who most recently served as an assistant coach for the Clippers and was an NBA analyst for ESPN.<\/p>\n

In 1997, Billups, then a member of the Boston Celtics, and teammate Ron Mercer were accused by a woman of sexual misconduct at the home of former Boston forward Antoine Walker.<\/p>\n

No criminal charges were filed, and Mercer and Billups settled a civil lawsuit with the accuser for an undisclosed sum three years later. Walker also settled a lawsuit with the accuser, who said Walker failed to prevent the alleged rape.<\/p>\n

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Chauncey Billups was asked by @jwquick<\/a> to elaborate on the 1997 sexual assault allegation and how the accusation shaped him in unbelievable ways. <\/p>\n

Trail Blazers PR cut it off. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Billups said in his opening statement: #RipCity<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/V5BO5Ye89f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Evan Schreiber (@SchreiberEvan) June 29, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

While addressing the 1997 rape allegation, Billups said the incident has had significant impact on his life decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery decision has consequences, and that\u2019s led to some really, really healthy but tough conversations I\u2019ve had to have with my wife \u2014 who was my girlfriend at the time in 1997 \u2014 and my daughters about what actually happened, and about what they may have to read about me in the news and in the media<\/a>,\u201d Billups said during the press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this experience has shaped my life in so many different ways, my decision-making obviously, who I allow to be in my life, the friendships and relationships that I have and how I go about them. It\u2019s impacted every decision that I make, it really has, and it\u2019s shaped me in some unbelievable ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chauncey
Chauncey Billups during his Trail Blazers introductory press conference on June 29, 2021.<\/figcaption>
AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Billups finalized a five-year deal with the Blazers on Sunday, according to ESPN, which also reported the team investigated the 1997 rape allegation before offering him the head coaching job on Friday.<\/p>\n

Billups was reportedly on board with the investigation and sources told the website his answers in a number of conversations with the organization coincided with findings from its independent investigation.<\/p>\n

\"Chauncey
Chauncey Billups (l.) and Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey (r.) on June 29, 2021.<\/figcaption>
AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The controversy surrounding the hire could push star guard Damian Lillard \u201cout the door,\u201d Yahoo Sports previously reported. Lillard reportedly did not suggest Billups to Blazers brass after previously stating his preference for Jason Kidd \u2014 who ended up becoming the Mavericks\u2019 head coach.<\/p>\n

Lillard responded to Twitter backlash by stating he was not aware of the allegations against Billups.<\/p>\n

The Knicks are monitoring Lillard\u2019s situation, The Post\u2019s Marc Berman reported.\n <\/p><\/div>\n