Chauncey Billups Will Reportedly Make Debut for Clippers vs. Timberwolves

Donald Wood @@Donald_WoodFeatured ColumnistNovember 28, 2012

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 05: Injured guard Chauncey Billups #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers helps out with some coaching from the bench during the game with the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 87-86 to take a two games to one lead in the series. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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After missing the start of this season because of a torn left Achilles tendon, Los Angeles Clippers veteran guard Chauncey Billups will make his 2012-13 debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports:

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups will make his season debut tonight against Minnesota, a source tells Y! Sports. Billups will start at SG.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 28, 2012

The 36-year-old point guard/shooting guard was a huge addition to a young Clippers team last season, and the franchise hopes to pick back up where it left off when Billups went down due to injury in February.

What It Means

While Clippers fans, team officials and Billups himself will be excited to get the former All-Star back on the court, the expectations must be kept low while the veteran works himself back into game shape.

Billups isn’t a young man anymore, and it may take several games for the guard to get back to an elite level. The coaching staff must keep an eye on Billups and make sure he doesn’t push himself too much too soon and undo all the hard work he has put into his recovery.

The veteran will have limited minutes for the first week or so, but the Los Angeles faithful must be patient as Billups relearns to work with the team, and his teammates learn to feed off of his play.

What’s Next?

The Clippers are 8-6 on the season and playing solid basketball, but Billups' return can take them from being a middle-of-the-pack contender to one of the top teams in the league.

A Los Angeles backcourt of Chris Paul at point guard and Billups playing shooting guard is one of the most dangerous in the league if—and that is a big if—the returning veteran can get back to a high level of play and stay healthy.

The Clippers need more depth at both guard positions, and they found it with the returning Billups.

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