On the verge of signing Billups, Mitchell stated, Saunders sought counsel from Timberwolves gamers corresponding to Mitchell, level guard Terrell Brandon and All-Star Kevin Garnett. Mitchell, Brandon and Garnett have been assured that the newcomer would do nicely in Minneapolis, and Billups and Garnett have been shut buddies relationship again to their AAU days. The Timberwolves signed Billups to a three-year contract for the wage cap exception, paying $2.25 million within the first 12 months. “Flip was like, ‘They are saying he’s egocentric. They are saying he’s this, they are saying he’s that,’ ” Mitchell recalled. “And I stated, ‘Flip, I don’t know him. However why don’t you give him an opportunity?’ So, when he obtained right here, Chauncey instructed me that when he was in Boston, Toronto and Denver, they gave up on him as a degree guard and so they simply instructed him simply are available and attempt to rating. In order that’s what he did. “After which when he got here to Minnesota, I stated, ‘Dude, should you actually wish to discover ways to play the place, and should you actually wish to change how individuals consider you, you see that man proper there, Terrell Brandon, watch all the pieces he does and discuss to him. He’s a pure level guard …’ Chauncey instructed me, ‘I wish to play the place. Nobody has ever taught me the place.’ ” -via Andscape / October 11, 2024
