He's the head coach alot

Another good article on the leadership qualities of Chauncey Billups, who has led Denver to a 2-0 lead over Dallas in the Western Conference quarterfinals. This is from the Denver Post:

Chauncey Billups sauntered to the scorer's table with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and shouted instructions — and no doubt encouragement — to the players who were on the court.

It just another small detail in Mr. Big Shot's leadership drive. There is almost never a stone left unturned.

But for Billups so far in this series, the small things have been his biggest contribution. Scoring has eluded the all-star guard, but he has made up for it in assists, steals, and keeping the Nuggets' offense on schedule.

"Chauncey didn't have a good offensive game from the standpoint of scoring points, but you don't understand how good he is running the team; you don't understand how good he is cerebrally making sure things are going the right way," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Our interaction during the game . . . He's the head coach a lot."

In the locker room, Billups' leadership has been a key to the Nuggets' success. He and Karl collaborate on what they think will work for the Nuggets going into each game. Billups has helped Karl get their game plans executed while still challenging the coach to put the players in the best positions possible.

"He overrides me a lot," Karl said. "But in the same sense, we whisper to each other a great deal during the game, during timeouts."

Said Billups: "George trusts me out there. I think it's important for the point guard and the head coach to have that kind of relationship."

Defense Makes Denver a Bully

The Denver Nuggets took control of their series against the Hornets last night with a 121-63 blowout at New Orleans. In past years, Denver has been known for their great offense play but soft defense that has led to many first round departures. However, their defense has been the catalyst for their success this season, even leading some to call them bullies for their aggressive style.

"If you play aggressive and you play strong, you can be called a bully," Denver guard Dahntay Jones said. "So I guess you need a team of bullies, because that's a mind-set you've got to have. You've got to be mentally strong, you've got to be tough and you've got to bring the defense every night."

"Defense is our cornerstone. We make sure we get our stops, and we worry about offensive second."

Says Denver guard Chauncey Billups:

"A lot of people think that defense is not fun. But when you've got five guys out there together defending, it's a lot of fun."

Billups runs Nuggets to 2-0 lead over Hornets

Big win for Denver last night as they once again controlled the Hornets from the opening tip for a 108-93 victory. I wrote earlier in the week on the importance of Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups. Here are some post game comments:

Denver coach George Karl:

"He's very skilled. But he plays the game without skills a lot. He plays the game with a brain, and a teamness, a point guard leadership. Then he figures out when to put the skills in the game.

Hornets forward David West:

"We have to make life more difficult for him, make him play under a little more duress," West said. "He does too good a job of getting his team into what needs to be run. He won't allow them to take bad shots. He's controlling that team over there. He doesn't allow them to get out of sorts. He doesn't allow them to get out of control. He has them in control from start to finish.

"He can dominate the game. He is pretty tough to deal with."

Says Billups:

"I've always kind of been a safe player. I don't take that many chances if I don't have to," Billups said. "I try to make the right play. I don't always make the right play but I try to. I try to think the game out, but I'm in a nice little groove right now and guys have been playing great around me.

Mr. Blue Collar

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."