BILLUPS DESIRES TO RUN NBA TEAM
DETROIT» Chauncey Billups is still eyeing the chance to run an NBA team.
The former Pistons standout was back in the Detroit area Friday night as part of the BIG3 — entertainer Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 league of former NBA players, which made a stop at Little Caesars Arena.
Billups, who is from Denver and played for CU and the Nuggets, had talks with the Cavaliers last year but did not join their front office. When Detroit overhauled its organization this year, he seemed like a potential fit, but that didn’t happen either.
“My desire is to one day run a team, be in a front office and try to build a champion,” Billups said. “I know that I will and I know I’m going to do a good job. When that opportunity presents itself, and it’s a good opportunity, I’ll be ready to go.”
The Pistons were run by Stan Van Gundy — their coach and president of basketball operations — for the past four seasons, but they moved in a different direction this offseason. Dwane Casey was hired as Detroit’s new coach, and Ed Stefanski came on board as a senior executive.
“I thought Stan did a good job. Stan is a very good coach, but sometimes you just need a new voice,” Billups said. “Coach Casey obviously has been a very good coach the last few years. He’s really ascended to the top of the ranks in the league. Whatever happened in Toronto presented an opportunity for him to come here.”
In one offseason, Casey has been fired by the Toronto Raptors, got hired by the Pistons and was named NBA coach of the year.
Billups is still viewed fondly in Detroit after leading the Pistons to the NBA title in 2004. The team played at The Palace of Auburn Hills back then. The Pistons played their first season at downtown Little Caesars Arena in 2017-18.
Parker heads to Windy City. CHICAGO.» Jabari Parker and the Chicago Bulls agreed to a $40 million, twoyear contract, bringing the talented and oft-injured forward to his hometown team.
Agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed the deal shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks rescinded their qualifying offer. That made Parker an unrestricted free agent, clearing the way for him to join the rebuilding Bulls.
The 23-year-old Parker led Chicago’s Simeon Career Academy to four state championships and starred for one season at Duke before the Bucks drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2014.
The Bulls are banking on him to stay healthy after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee twice in four seasons with Milwaukee.
“Jabari is a 23-year-old player who is a natural fit with our young core, and is a proven scorer at the NBA level,” general manager Gar Forman said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming him back to his hometown.”
Parker has averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. His best season was in 2016-17 when he averaged 20.1 points in 51 games before tearing his ACL a second time. He played 31 games last year, averaging 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Verlander, Upton expecting first child. HOUSTON» Supermodel Kate Upton and Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander are expecting their first child.
Upton announced the pregnancy on Instagram on Saturday in a post with the hashtag “pregnant in Miami.”
The picture of her in a red, highwaisted suit and white top revealed a slight baby bump.
Verlander, who was selected to his seventh All-star Game last Sunday, reposted her post later Saturday with the caption: “You’re going to be the most amazing Mom! ... You’re the most thoughtful, loving, caring, and strong woman I’ve ever met!”
Upton is 26 and Verlander 35. They married in November in Italy, just after Verlander helped the Astros win their first World Series.