An Open Letter to Rip Hamilton from Chauncey Billups

A letter from Chauncey Billups to Rip Hamilton.

Dear Rip,

How are you man? It's only been a couple of months but it seems like years already. I'm really looking forward to March 3, finally we'll get to play against each other huh?

Shame you can't come see my new place, but being back in Motown is sure gonna be fun for me.

How is the team holding up? You guys had a pretty nice streak going a few weeks ago huh? Yeah, I know, you weren't a part of it with that nasty injury, but still at least the team is winning? Whatever it takes, right?

Rip, I wanna be serious for a moment.

I know things aren't going so well up there. I know you're kinda pissed at management, and I am, too.

They persuaded you to sign that extension and traded me a day after, that was underhanded for sure. I know you didn't want the deal to go down, and I gotta admit, even though I loved the idea of going home, it did kinda smart.

We've gotta put that behind us now. The deal is done, I'm not coming back.

I know you aren't all that fond of this Iverson guy. I know you run off the same screens and the ball just doesn't appear in your hands anymore.

It must be a hard adjustment (not like mine, thankfully), but you gotta be the man now.

I know injuries and stuff have gotten in the way this year, and none of us are getting younger. I think you know yourself you aren't having a great year, but you can. We've all seen it before.

You're the best catch-and-shoot player of the decade, you were a deadly scorer, teams shook when they saw you strapping on that mask.

What's going on with that beard, by the way?

I know you've been in the papers a lot. With Coach Curry dodging questions about who will be coming off the bench, dont you miss Coach Brown?

Nah, me neither.

You did the right thing Rip, you came off the bench.

I know. It's a big deal for you, its been seven years since you had to do that, but its the right thing to do. You know the young Stuckey kid is a great scorer, besides, you are going to light up all those secondary defences anyways.

You have to be the leader for the Pistons now. You gotta fill my spot, you've gotta let this Iverson guy become part of the team.

The Cavs? Boston? Orlando?

Nah, Detroit are the Beasts in the East.

You really going to let our streak go down like this? What, just because I'm not there you think your season is over?

They said the same thing when we lost Big Ben, but that didn't stop us, did it?

Remember the good times Rip, remember the four Pistons on the All-Star team, remember scoring 51 at the Garden, remember passing Isiah Thomas on the Pistons scoring list.

Now get your head together, strap your mask on, run around a dozen screens and hit a midrange jumper, dammit!

DEEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL!!!

Write back soon dude, see you in Phoenix.

(Well, probably not, but I'd vote you in)

Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups

(Check back in a few days for Rip's reply)