Shams: Billups New Head Coach of Blazers

[Somebody]

Looks like Celts dodged a bullet by not hiring Billups

Pressure over coaching process pushing Damian Lillard out of Portland?

The enormous backlash from the Portland Trail Blazers’ process to hire a new coach and his concerns on whether a championship contender can be built have become factors that may push the franchise player — Damian Lillard — out the door, league sources told Yahoo Sports. 2 hours ago – via Chris Haynes @ Yahoo! Sports
 Top Rumors, Coaching, Trade, Chauncey Billups, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Lillard has remained loyal to Portland in large due to the tremendous fan base. But over the last few days, he’s seen some of those same fans attacking him on social media for a pending coaching hire he played no part in consummating, sources said. Portland is currently in negotiations to make Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups its next head coach. 2 hours ago – via Chris Haynes @ Yahoo! Sports Coaching, Trade, Chauncey Billups, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

None of the candidates that were interviewed were from suggestions from Lillard, sources said. And although the All-NBA guard has a relationship with Billups as a coach, announcer and former player, he had no prior knowledge of the past sexual assault allegations against him from 1997. 2 hours ago

I suspect this is one of the reasons that Brad went with Ume. Not the only and not the main, but one of the reasons.

They're not happy over in Blazer land.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/6/26/22551327/chauncey-billups-portland-trail-blazers-coaching-hire-response

Just saw this in the link you posted:

Chauncey doesn’t even have a proven track record—he is less qualified, on paper, than Becky Hammon is. Than Mike D’Antoni is. There are dozens of people suited for this job, and we had to choose this one.

I wouldn't bat an eye if Chauncey was changed to Ime (yeah I know that Udoka has been an AC for a longer period of time, but Hammon led an SL team to a title as its head coach, was part of an All-Star coaching staff and was even acting head coach for the Spurs once).

[Kuberski33]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

[Celtics2021]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

[Tr1boy]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

[Celtics2021]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

[Tr1boy]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

who is Jeff Benedict?? who wrote out of bounds

2nd this was a settled case.  So how was the details leaked?  And if its not from the direct source, was the info "bent"

The point is...we don't know everything.  It didn't go to court

[Celtics2021]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

who is Jeff Benedict?? who wrote out of bounds

2nd this was a settled case.  So how was the details leaked?  And if its not from the direct source, was the info "bent"

The point is...we don't know everything.  It didn't go to court

Yes, it did go to court.  There were filings in a civil suit.  Benedict's retelling of the Billups and Mercer version of the story comes from that suit.

And one shouldn't need to know everything to form an opinion as to whether a person is qualified to hold a position of leadership that effectively makes him the daily face of the franchise.  It is undisputed that Billups was accused of rape by someone who was 1) raped, per the opinion of medical experts who saw her the following morning, 2) with him the night she was raped, 3) had some form of sexual intercourse with him the night she was raped, 4) someone he ultimately paid in a civil suit.  Furthermore, it is also undisputed that Antoine Walker sued Billups over the incident -- this isn't someone who no one believed at the time.

Also, here is Jeff Benedict's wikipedia page.  He's not a nobody:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Benedict

[Tr1boy]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

who is Jeff Benedict?? who wrote out of bounds

2nd this was a settled case.  So how was the details leaked?  And if its not from the direct source, was the info "bent"

The point is...we don't know everything.  It didn't go to court

Yes, it did go to court.  There were filings in a civil suit.  Benedict's retelling of the Billups and Mercer version of the story comes from that suit.

And one shouldn't need to know everything to form an opinion as to whether a person is qualified to hold a position of leadership that effectively makes him the daily face of the franchise.  It is undisputed that Billups was accused of rape by someone who was 1) raped, per the opinion of medical experts who saw her the following morning, 2) with him the night she was raped, 3) had some form of sexual intercourse with him the night she was raped, 4) someone he ultimately paid in a civil suit.  Furthermore, it is also undisputed that Antoine Walker sued Billups over the incident -- this isn't someone who no one believed at the time.

You stated to "form an opinion"

That is not knowing for sure

Mercer and Billups stated they werent there. She said they were.   

So who is telling the truth? 

Walker suing Billups ...doesnt mean much imo

In court ... unfortunately the victim character/history would have been brought up (if there was anything to disclose).  So would Billups, Mercer past 

Im not siding with Billups or victim etc.  because it wasnt vetted in court

For truth seekers. The wish is that she would have seen it through. 

[Tr1boy]

End of the day ... not our problem

Glad Celts hired Udoka. 

[Celtics2021]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

who is Jeff Benedict?? who wrote out of bounds

2nd this was a settled case.  So how was the details leaked?  And if its not from the direct source, was the info "bent"

The point is...we don't know everything.  It didn't go to court

Yes, it did go to court.  There were filings in a civil suit.  Benedict's retelling of the Billups and Mercer version of the story comes from that suit.

And one shouldn't need to know everything to form an opinion as to whether a person is qualified to hold a position of leadership that effectively makes him the daily face of the franchise.  It is undisputed that Billups was accused of rape by someone who was 1) raped, per the opinion of medical experts who saw her the following morning, 2) with him the night she was raped, 3) had some form of sexual intercourse with him the night she was raped, 4) someone he ultimately paid in a civil suit.  Furthermore, it is also undisputed that Antoine Walker sued Billups over the incident -- this isn't someone who no one believed at the time.

You stated to "form an opinion"

That is not knowing for sure

Mercer and Billups stated they werent there. She said they were.   

So who is telling the truth? 

Walker suing Billups ...doesnt mean much imo

In court ... unfortunately the victim character/history would have been brought up (if there was anything to disclose).  So would Billups, Mercer past 

Im not siding with Billups or victim etc.  because it wasnt vetted in court

For truth seekers. The wish is that she would have seen it through.

This is exactly what you are doing.  It's exactly what the Blazers did.  And I don't know how close the Celtics were to doing just that, but I'm glad they didn't.

[Tr1boy]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

End of the day, I don't think we can be social media judges

Because we don't really know what happened.  Did Billups do it, or was it the other two? Maybe Billups didn't want to rat them out. 

Has she made similar claims against other people in the past, for money

I sympathize with the victim more in these situations. But we don't know anything. 

Blazers conducted their own investigation. As did Espn/Clippers.    And Billups was still hired for all of these jobs

I doubt we will hear more details about it since there was a settlement/case sealed

Let's be clear, there's a lot we know.  Details of the incident was included in a book written in 2004.  People who make decisions frankly felt that others wouldn't care.  ESPN was correct, which is indicting as much of us as them.  Portland seems to have been less correct, because attitudes are starting to shift.

Here's a link to a twitter post that has the passage on Billups and Mercer.  It is graphic, likely triggering for some readers, and I don't think would be acceptable on this message board, and I hope I am not breaking any rules by linking to it.

https://twitter.com/EricG_NBA/status/1401050959976009728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1401050959976009728%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2F2021%2F06%2F05%2Fchauncey-billups-old-sexual-assault-allegations-resurface-after-name-comes-up-as-possible-new-blazers-head-coach-tweets%2F

who is Jeff Benedict?? who wrote out of bounds

2nd this was a settled case.  So how was the details leaked?  And if its not from the direct source, was the info "bent"

The point is...we don't know everything.  It didn't go to court

Yes, it did go to court.  There were filings in a civil suit.  Benedict's retelling of the Billups and Mercer version of the story comes from that suit.

And one shouldn't need to know everything to form an opinion as to whether a person is qualified to hold a position of leadership that effectively makes him the daily face of the franchise.  It is undisputed that Billups was accused of rape by someone who was 1) raped, per the opinion of medical experts who saw her the following morning, 2) with him the night she was raped, 3) had some form of sexual intercourse with him the night she was raped, 4) someone he ultimately paid in a civil suit.  Furthermore, it is also undisputed that Antoine Walker sued Billups over the incident -- this isn't someone who no one believed at the time.

You stated to "form an opinion"

That is not knowing for sure

Mercer and Billups stated they werent there. She said they were.   

So who is telling the truth? 

Walker suing Billups ...doesnt mean much imo

In court ... unfortunately the victim character/history would have been brought up (if there was anything to disclose).  So would Billups, Mercer past 

Im not siding with Billups or victim etc.  because it wasnt vetted in court

For truth seekers. The wish is that she would have seen it through.

This is exactly what you are doing.  It's exactly what the Blazers did.  And I don't know how close the Celtics were to doing just that, but I'm glad they didn't.

No I'm not. I believe in Innocent until proven guilty

I dont know these people... the majority of the public doesnt on a personal level

If in court it was proven she had 3 other similar settlements. 

Would your perception change?

I think ... should have seen it through. That is the justice I would have wanted

If Billups is guilty. He will pay a price in the afterlife. Truth cant be hidden

[Kuberski33]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

I'm saying that in the eyes of the law, the matter is settled.  So it shouldn't be held against Billups because who's to say he's guilty of rape or not?  He hasn't been proven guilty of any crime and there's no way to prosecute him for the incident in question.

[tazzmaniac]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

I'm saying that in the eyes of the law, the matter is settled.  So it shouldn't be held against Billups because who's to say he's guilty of rape or not?  He hasn't been proven guilty of any crime and there's no way to prosecute him for the incident in question.

No one is talking about prosecuting him criminally.  He already paid off the accuser to end the civil suit which suggests a rape may have occurred.  The nurse's report of the accuser's injuries suggests a rape may have occurred.  There is ample reason not to hire Billups as an NBA head coach who is going to be the face of the org. 

[Kuberski33]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

I'm saying that in the eyes of the law, the matter is settled.  So it shouldn't be held against Billups because who's to say he's guilty of rape or not?  He hasn't been proven guilty of any crime and there's no way to prosecute him for the incident in question.

No one is talking about prosecuting him criminally.  He already paid off the accuser to end the civil suit which suggests a rape may have occurred.  The nurse's report of the accuser's injuries suggests a rape may have occurred.  There is ample reason not to hire Billups as an NBA head coach who is going to be the face of the org.

A rape may have occured but if it did, who committed it?   Walker? Billups? Mercer? One or more members of Walker's 'posse' at the time? 2 of them? 3 of them?  None of them?

He was there, maybe Toine tried to pin it on the rookie and that's why there was a suit?  My point is it's all conjecture and you're going to deny someone gainful employement because of it?

No one was charged with or convicted of any crime.

[tazzmaniac]

Because the incident with Billups happened so long ago and because nothing was ever proven I don't think it should be held against him now. Plus I think he'll be a good coach. 

While I'm intrigued by how his incident was covered up - with Pitino getting the blame for unloading Billups so soon - legally in this society you are innocent until proven guilty.  I give the Blazers credit for sticking with him and ignoring the noise - none which I'm guessing is coming from their best customers - their season ticket holders and sponsors.

Since he's never been held accountable before, we shouldn't start now.  Is that what you're saying?

I'm saying that in the eyes of the law, the matter is settled.  So it shouldn't be held against Billups because who's to say he's guilty of rape or not?  He hasn't been proven guilty of any crime and there's no way to prosecute him for the incident in question.

No one is talking about prosecuting him criminally.  He already paid off the accuser to end the civil suit which suggests a rape may have occurred.  The nurse's report of the accuser's injuries suggests a rape may have occurred.  There is ample reason not to hire Billups as an NBA head coach who is going to be the face of the org.

A rape may have occured but if it did, who committed it?   Walker? Billups? Mercer? One or more members of Walker's 'posse' at the time? 2 of them? 3 of them?  None of them?

He was there, maybe Toine tried to pin it on the rookie and that's why there was a suit?  My point is it's all conjecture and you're going to deny someone gainful employement because of it?

No one was charged with or convicted of any crime.

Gainful employment?  Being an NBA head coach is a position of trust and great importance to the org.  They've already created a PR mess for themselves.  There is nothing to say there aren't more skeletons in Billups' closet.  I would definitely NOT hire him unless he took a lie detector test and passed.  If he's innocent, he shouldn't have problem with doing so.

If everything was the same but Billups was applying to be head janitor rather than head coach,
you can bet your bottom dollar that they wouldn't just take his word and hire him.