Since the Denver Nuggets accquired Chauncey Billups in an early season trade from Detroit, the Nuggets have transformed from a team that was a bubble team for the playoffs to a #2 seed in the Western Conference. This is attributed to the leadership and playoff experience that Billups has brought to the team. The Denver Post had a great article on his importance to the team:
"Blue-collar — I think it's a compliment," said the point guard, a 32-year-old Denver native. "There's really no razzle or glitz and glamour about my game. My game is not athletic. It's a skill game, methodical. I try to outthink my opponents.
"I'm not saying I'm a nonathlete, but most nights I'm going to play against guys who are faster than me. But I'm not going to play against a lot of guys who are stronger than I am. And I'm going to beat you with my knowledge of the game. That's probably where the blue-collar thing comes into play."
Says head coach George Karl:
"So much of playoff basketball is valuing every possession," Nuggets coach George Karl said, "valuing intensity and energy on every possession and being mentally strong and tough on every possession. And I think I just defined Chauncey."
"I think it's very easy to evaluate that Chauncey's mental nature is to win," Karl said. "It's not to have a great game, it's not to have a triple-double — his whole nature is that he starts the game (thinking): 'How are we going to win?' "
Here is what his teammates think of him:
Kenyon Martin
"My position, they can't double the post because he has a terrific 3-point shot. He's a great player. He looks for me. I tell him, just give me the ball a little earlier, because he'll take two defenders and I'm behind him and makes me (open) on the pick-and-roll. I'm the kind of player who anticipates the play, so I'm ready early. It's all about communication."
Nene
"He's a natural floor leader. He commands a level of respect, being a champion and a Finals MVP. He brings a lot of knowledge to the game and experience. I feed off his intensity, will to win, poise and shot selection."
Dahntay Jones
"He's just patient out there. And with him, I don't have to go out there and try to score 30 to 40 points for us to win the basketball game. That's something I've learned this season."
Carmelo Anthony
"He's capable of hitting big shots — hence his name Mr. Big Shot — so guards don't sink off of him because they respect him. So it opens up the floor."
Chris Andersen
"Chauncey has been great — he makes everybody better because he knows where to pass it and when to pass it."
Linas Kleiza
"When I'm out there, he's looking for me on different plays, and me and him talk a lot on defense. We'll talk about who we want to guard, and he'll be like, 'It doesn't matter,' because both of us are pretty good defenders and we always take the challenge."
Anthony Carter
"He's just teaching me so much, even sitting with him on the bench, just certain aspects, playing the point guard position. On the court, he's the best player I've ever played with."
J.R. Smith
"I don't think there's any question that point guards help coaches, because you communicate through your point guard most of the time. Chauncey has been trained and brought up in the same fundamental desires that I have been brought up in. Make the game simple, play hard, play together, defense first."
