Trail Blazers replace Chauncey Billups with former champion who beat LeBron James in NBA Finals

Meet Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach – Tiago Splitter

The Portland Trail Blazers released the following statement in the aftermath of Chauncey Billups’ arrest and suspension:

“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Portland Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation.

“Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”

Tiago Splitter is an assistant coach on the Portland Trail Blazers, having joined this summer after a one-year stint with Paris Basketball, where he took over for current Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, and won a French championship.

Of course, many NBA fans will remember Splitter as the Brazilian center who was part of the San Antonio Spurs’ 2014 NBA championship team that upset LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Splitter was also part of one of LeBron’s most iconic moments in a Heat jersey – a sensational block at the rim in Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

Tiago Splitter has a decent resume as a coach

After his time with the Spurs, Splitter had brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks before retiring in 2018.

Since then, he has been a scout and player development coach for the Brooklyn Nets, assistant coach for the Houston Rockets, head coach of Paris Basketball, before joining the Trail Blazers this summer.

Of course, it should also be mentioned that Splitter is another disciple of legendary former Spurs head coach and now-president, Gregg Popovich.

Splitter has some experience as a head coach after his time in Paris, but still not enough to warrant him being the interim head coach.

But given the nature of the situation the Trail Blazers find themselves in, it’s very possible they might name a more long-term replacement in the months to come.

For now, Splitter gets to coach one of the bright young teams in the NBA, who showed a lot of promise in their opening night fixture against the Minnesota Timberwolves.