Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups: 1997 incident 'shaped my life'

The Portland Trail Blazers formally introduced Chauncey Billups as the team's new head coach on Tuesday, and almost 30 minutes of his press conference focused on his controversial background.

Fans heavily criticized Portland's decision to hire Billups because details of a 1997 rape allegation against him resurfaced last week. The Trail Blazers conducted an independent investigation into the matter and concluded Billups was still the best candidate for the job. 

No criminal charges were brought against Billups, but he settled a civil lawsuit years later. 

In his opening comments, he addressed the controversy, saying the situation "shaped" his life in more ways than one. 

Via ESPN's Royce Young:

"Before I even talk about my role with the team and me being the head coach, I first want to talk about ... the incident that happened in 1997," he said. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about how every decision we make could have a profound impact on a person's life. I learned at a very young age as a player, but not only [as] a player but [as] a young man, a young adult, that every decision has consequences. And that's led to some really, really healthy but tough conversations that I've had to have with my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time in 1997, and my daughters about what actually happened and what they may have to read about me in the news and the media.

"But this experience has shaped my life in so many different ways. My decision-making, obviously. Who I allow to be in my life, the friendships and relationships I have and how I go about them. It's impacted every decision that I make and it's shaped me in some unbelievable ways. I know how important it is to have the right support system around you, particularly in tough, difficult times."

Billups reportedly received a five-year deal with the Blazers that includes a team option on the last season. 

It was reported after Billups was hired that Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard could request a trade due to the immense backlash from Portland's head-coaching search and his concerns over whether a championship contender can be built. 

However, Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said during Billups' introductory press conference that Lillard has expressed to him and stakeholders in the company that he "wants to retire a Trail Blazer." 

Right now, it certainly seems like Lillard plans to continue fighting for a championship in Portland. Hopefully, Billups will be the one to get them further into the postseason, which would keep Lillard happy and more willing to stick around.