But before landing in Detroit, Billups went from being a third pick in the 1997 NBA draft to a perceived bust in only three seasons. The former University of Colorado star was traded by the Boston Celtics, the Toronto Raptors and his hometown Denver Nuggets in his first three seasons. He never played for the Orlando Magic after being traded there during the 1999-2000 season due to a season-ending shoulder injury. Billups averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds during his first four seasons with no playoff appearances, far from what was predicted for him when he entered the NBA. “You come in as a third pick with your aspirations,” said Billups, now the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. “If I ball out like I’m going to be an All-Star. I’m going to be next level. And then you fall all the way off like I did. I got to prove that I belong in this league … “And I needed another chance to prove that I actually belong in this league. And then, once I do that I’m going to get back to my regular scheduled program. I’m going to show them. And so, after that little time in Orlando, I was a free agent, and I ended up signing in Minnesota.”