The Portland Trail Blazers signed Chauncey Billups to a multi-year contract extension back in April. Despite Billups' lackluster record at 116-211 through his first four seasons as head coach of the Blazers, general manager Joe Cronin decided to continue investing in him.
A significant factor behind that decision was Portland's promising and somewhat surprising 36-win season last year. The Blazers' young core took a substantial leap, and perhaps most importantly, Portland finally established its identity as a gritty, defensive-minded team.
"I just feel very good about where we're at, and now I understand how long it takes to build a culture.