The relationship between players and coaches can be as volatile as a contested jump ball. From Michael Jordan’s early clashes with Phil Jackson to Kobe Bryant’s tumultuous journey with Tim Grover, the NBA has seen its fair share of player-coach feuds that later transformed into mutual respect and admiration. Now, another chapter has unfolded as Chauncey Billups, the former Detroit Pistons star, changed his stance on his old coach, Larry Brown.

While giving the speech during the induction to the Hall of Fame, Billups didn’t mince any word but gave his honest opinion on his former coach. “Nobody demanded more from me than Larry. He was relentless every single day. He believed the game should be played a certain way and one thing that I always kinda credit him for was demanding that I become a point guard that could score as opposed to a scoring point guard. And that was a big lesson for me… Nobody made me better and even today I call him when I got questions coaching wise or what should I do. He’s just been a big blessing to me,” said Billups during his induction speech.

The 2004 NBA Finals MVP initial criticism of Larry Brown came down after the Pistons were crushed by the San Antonio Spurs in a seven-game series in the playoffs. This came as a surprise to the fans. Why? It is because Billups with his other teammates Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince who formed the core team of the Pistons had defeated the Los Angeles Lakers the previous year. So in the 2004-2005 season, the fans had high expectations of them.

But what was Billups’s feud with Brown? During the 2005 Pistons’ run for the championship, it was believed that coach Larry Brown’s connection with San Antonio Spurs’ president Gregg Popovich and his ongoing negotiation with teams such as the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers had sabotaged the winning chances of the Pistons. “We were really, really disappointed in coach Brown at that time,” said Billups regarding the matter. Not only this but Billups also added that the players in the team at that time were young and understood nothing about what was going on with the management. “At that time, we’re basketball players. We’re all 25, 26, 27, 28. We don’t know the business of basketball. Not at all. We just know we’re the defending champs, and we’re in a dogfight getting our butt kicked right now by the San Antonio Spurs, and we need all hands on deck,” added Billups.

As Billups continues with his own coaching career, currently at the Portland Trail Blazers, his newfound appreciation for Brown’s methods may well influence his own coaching philosophy. However, apart from Chauncey Billups did you know about the other players who are going to get inducted in this year’s Hall of Fame?

The other players who are going to get inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame

We can say that the 2004 Hall of Fame class consists of a truly remarkable group of players who have a lasting mark on the game of basketball. While we already know about Chauncey Billups, there are other 12 veterans who are going to get inducted.

First comes the legendary player and coach, Jerry West. This is West’s third induction in the HOF as a contributor, and the late Lakers veteran has already been inducted as a player and coach in 1980 and 2018 respectively. The next is Michael Cooper, who has played in eight All-Defensive teams. However, the list doesn’t end here. The names of other inductees include Walter Davis, Dick Barnett, Seimone Augustus, Michele Timms, Herb Simon, Doug Collins, Bo Ryan, Harley Redin, and Charles Smith.

The Olympics delayed this ceremony until August. It can be said that inducting these players into the Hall of Fame is a great way to pay tribute to them and their careers in basketball.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.