DENVER (AP)—Chauncey Billups doesn’t get mentioned in the MVP debates the way LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant do. He lacks their flash and dash if not their cache.

But was any player more valuable to his team than the centerpiece in one of the NBA’s most lopsided trade in years?

Billups’ departure from Detroit fostered the Pistons’ unraveling and his arrival in Denver turned the Nuggets from an afterthought into a legitimate threat.

Denver tied the franchise record for wins in an NBA season with 54 and secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, earning the home-court edge in a playoff series for the first time in 21 years.

After appearing in six straight Eastern Conference finals and winning the NBA title in 2004, the Pistons are seeded eighth this year. At 39-43, they’re the only one of the 16 teams in the playoffs with a losing record.

Allen Iverson, who was traded for Billups, is sidelined with a bad back after a frustration-filled and injury-plagued season that has him mulling retirement.

The Nuggets were in a cost-cutting mode when they let defensive stalwarts Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera get away last summer, leading pundits to predict an end to Denver’s string of five straight postseason appearances—all of which ended in first-round exits.

A week into the season, vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien made what might be the biggest move in franchise history, sending Iverson and his big contract to the Pistons for Billups, the true point guard coach George Karl had coveted for years.

In no time at all, Billups accomplished what had been Mission Impossible for so many others in Denver: melding the Nuggets’ immense individual talents into a cohesive unit that seems poised to finally make some noise in the playoffs.

“We were doubted so much that we wanted to prove to everybody that we weren’t the team everybody thought we were,” Carmelo Anthony said. “Bringing him in was an amazing part. Even with the team we had last year—winning 50 games—we needed to bring in a guy of his caliber.”

The Nuggets open the playoffs against New Orleans at home Sunday, and they’re counting on Billups leading them on a deep run just like he did in Detroit.

“He’s a winner and he’s a contagious personality,” Karl said. “That rubs off on the locker room and situations. He helps me coach the game and helps everybody win.”

There’s not a single player in the locker room that can’t rattle off a list of the ways Billups has made them better.

Perhaps the greatest compliment came from enigmatic sixth man J.R. Smith.

“Before, I played off of raw talent and passion, but now he has me thinking the game of basketball,” Smith said. “It’s the first time I’ve really done that since I picked up the ball.”

It’s no coincidence that Smith is becoming a star, that Anthony has become a better all-around player, that big men Nene and Kenyon Martin had their best season together, that Smith, Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter and Linas Kleiza made up the best bench the Nuggets have had in years.

It’s because of Billups.

“He brings maturity to the team,” Nene said. “He brings control.”

Carter’s minutes diminished when Billups came in, but he’s too busy learning from him to gripe about it.

“I look to him a lot,” Carter said. “Just looking at his demeanor on the court, the way he runs the team. He knows when to slow the ball down, he knows when to push the ball. Me, I just like to go 100 mph and whatever I see open and pitch it up. He’s a great leader and great person to learn the game from.”

He’s the consummate coach on the court.

“He puts a lot of pressure on me to make the right play at the right time, offense or defense,” starting swingman Dahntay Jones said. “He’s out there teaching. He’s an underrated help defender. He’s in the right place at the right time, sends people where to go, he’s talking on help defense. He makes my job a lot easier when I have the ball. He’s talking, he’s directing traffic back there.”

One thing Billups isn’t engaged in is the trash talk that dominates so many point guards’ games nowadays.

It’s his resume that speaks loudest.

“You can’t really argue with a guy who’s been a finals MVP before, who’s won a championship,” Jones said. “He’s not arrogant or overly confident with it, he speaks when it’s necessary. He doesn’t talk a lot. When he speaks, it’s relevant to what’s going on and it’s not a bunch of jibber jabber.”

Billups impact—and Denver’s turnaround—began the instant he stepped foot in the locker room.

“My whole thing coming in, I was just going to be me. Who I am is a humble guy who wants to win, who’s unselfish, and I think I have that kind of personality that I’m not going to step on other people’s toes,” Billups said. “I’m not arrogant or ****y. I’ve accomplished a lot of things in my career, but you wouldn’t know it unless you read about it.

“I think that rubs off on everybody, that aura, it says to people, ‘It’s good to play with a guy like this. It’ll be fun. Everybody can be better.”’

Good one Joe...good one

Nice article. But, we mopped up the spilled milk months ago. No need for tissues now. I'm happy for Chauncey and how things have worked out for him and the Nuggets.

Time to let it go.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
Nice article. But, we mopped up the spilled milk months ago. No need for tissues now. I'm happy for Chauncey and how things have worked out for him and the Nuggets.

Time to let it go.

I can't man. And every time that I try, there is an article like this, where the Nuggets talk about how much he brought to their team. By the way, I figured the first post would say "cap space." But of all the people you trade him for Iverson????????

Maybe after this season I can let it go...

I was a supporter of the trade because it accomplished more than one thing. Acquiring Iverson obviously didn't work at all. But, that's not the only reason the trade was made. Whether he's going to be a good starting point guard or not, Rodney Stuckey got valuable practical experience being a starting point guard. And, we'll find out this summer and/or next summer how Dumars actually uses that cap space. So, sure it hurts to see what Billups helped do in Denver, but there's absolutely nothing we can do about it now. There just isn't.

And, while I was way off thinking Iverson could help the team, I'm not convinced that Chauncey plays as well as he did this season had he remained a Piston. I think the change of scenery, getting away from Rasheed (and his approach to the game), getting motivated to prove Dumars wrong that his game had slipped, and being close to home all played a role in his level of play with the Nuggets. He wouldn't have had those things to motivate him had he stayed.

So he could have stayed, the Pistons could have won another 50 or so games, got the 3 seed, and then they still likely would have lost to the Celtics in round 2 (barring the KG injury) or in the ECF to the Cavs. And, then people would still complain but then the Pistons couldn't make major changes to try to rebuild. It's a catch-22.

But, again, good for Chauncey for playing the way he did and helping the Nuggets turn around, at least in terms of playing better basketball. There's no guaranteeing the Nuggets do much in the playoffs, even get out of the first round. We'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by Pimp in the Box:

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
Nice article. But, we mopped up the spilled milk months ago. No need for tissues now. I'm happy for Chauncey and how things have worked out for him and the Nuggets.

Time to let it go.

I can't man. And every time that I try, there is an article like this, where the Nuggets talk about how much he brought to their team. By the way, I figured the first post would say "cap space." But of all the people you trade him for Iverson????????

Maybe after this season I can let it go...

let me tell u something...billups wasn't that good in his last two years like he plays now for Denver...since BEN and the coach left..and sheed became lazy...he knew this team dont have why they need for another ring..

and the fans said he isn't that good...so i guess he didn't had passion to play for the pistons...they brought stuckey to take his spot...so even if he was still here we might end up losing anyway, so at least now he got new passion with Denver.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
I was a supporter of the trade because it accomplished more than one thing. Acquiring Iverson obviously didn't work at all. But, that's not the only reason the trade was made. Whether he's going to be a good starting point guard or not, Rodney Stuckey got valuable practical experience being a starting point guard. And, we'll find out this summer and/or next summer how Dumars actually uses that cap space. So, sure it hurts to see what Billups helped do in Denver, but there's absolutely nothing we can do about it now. There just isn't.

And, while I was way off thinking Iverson could help the team, I'm not convinced that Chauncey plays as well as he did this season had he remained a Piston. I think the change of scenery, getting away from Rasheed (and his approach to the game), getting motivated to prove Dumars wrong that his game had slipped, and being close to home all played a role in his level of play with the Nuggets. He wouldn't have had those things to motivate him had he stayed.

So he could have stayed, the Pistons could have won another 50 or so games, got the 3 seed, and then they still likely would have lost to the Celtics in round 2 (barring the KG injury) or in the ECF to the Cavs. And, then people would still complain but then the Pistons couldn't make major changes to try to rebuild. It's a catch-22.

But, again, good for Chauncey for playing the way he did and helping the Nuggets turn around, at least in terms of playing better basketball. There's no guaranteeing the Nuggets do much in the playoffs, even get out of the first round. We'll see.

From my POV, Stuckey really REALLY could have used another year under an established PG like Chauncey. Trading Chauncey not only hurt the team, but in my opinion, has stunted his growth into a true PG...because Chauncey went through the same things.

As for fans saying Chauncey was not good enough...the bandwagon fans that did not know what the hell they were talking about maybe.

quote:

Originally posted by Pimp in the Box:
As for fans saying Chauncey was not good enough...the bandwagon fans that did not know what the hell they were talking about maybe.

I don't consider myself a bandwagon fan. I fully believed that Chauncey's game had slipped and moreover that his contract over the next few years would be something he would come nowhere near living up to and would be untradeable. I saw him the last three playoffs get outplayed by the likes of Jason Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Rajon Rondo. I understand he was banged up last year, but he still had a good game and then followed it up with stinkers. I thought he was on his full decline. It's obvious now that he isn't quite yet and that it was a mistake to think so. But, don't say it was only bandwagon or misinformed fans that don't know what they're talking about who thought he was close to being done. It wasn't.

Cavs over the Nuggets in 6. Book it.

Oh, and to the point of this thread: Chauncy may have made us a contender for the ECF again, but there was no way we were making the Finals in the defensive powerhouse Eastern Conference again. Not unless Curry really was going to let Stuck and Bynum play.

Chauncy leaving was the best thing for us and him. I am happy for him. I hope he whups the Lakers, if he can get past Utah (lol).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr. J,

I don't think they get by the Hornets.So Chauncey's gonna shut down CP3? Yeah right.It's going to be another one and done for Denver, only this time it'll be worse 'cause their in the 2 spot.

I stopped reading after "the most lopsided trade in years.". Are you kidding? Kwame Brown for Caron Butler was more lopsided than this. Iverson is the better talent, Chauncey was the better leader. It wasn't a lopsided trade, the player just didn't work in our system. We didn't just get a guy who can still average over twenty points a game, but we also received a huge contract coming off the books. Why is that not a good enough reason?

We could have kept Chauncey, made the ECF's, and lost again. Or, we could have made that trade, and start the rebuilding process. I don't know about you, but I would have made that trade knowing this season was going to be like this.

As for Denver, there having a great year. But that team is not going to win a championship this year. They got the veteran point guard, but they're still missing pieces to that team that make them a true contender. Had they kept Camby or tried to talk Mcdyess into staying, than they might have a shot at making the finals this year. But they didn't keep either of those guys.

quote:

Originally posted by obe1ball:
I don't think they get by the Hornets.So Chauncey's gonna shut down CP3? Yeah right.It's going to be another one and done for Denver, only this time it'll be worse 'cause their in the 2 spot.

Chauncey actually defends CP3 quite well. You just have to put a big defender such as Chauncey or Deron Williams to slow him down a bit. You won't shut him down, but you can slow him down.

F*** you, Allen Iverson!!

quote:

Originally posted by detfan08:

quote:

Originally posted by obe1ball:
I don't think they get by the Hornets.So Chauncey's gonna shut down CP3? Yeah right.It's going to be another one and done for Denver, only this time it'll be worse 'cause their in the 2 spot.

Chauncey actually defends CP3 quite well. You just have to put a big defender such as Chauncey or Deron Williams to slow him down a bit. You won't shut him down, but you can slow him down.

We'll just see about that.Chauncey might have strength but it won't matter when Paul is blowing by him or getting him in foul trouble.

I'm not hating on Chauncey, I just saw this the last couple years, speed kills him.He's slowed down.Yes, if Denver had Camby back in the paint to block shots and cover for him, they'd be in much better shape.

Uhh, Pau for a bag of chips and a cup of coffee?

Difference is CP3 has a far worse surrounding cast than Chaunce.......CP3 will have to play amazing (which is entirely possible) to beat the Nugs

Lets look at the matchups:

CP3 is better than Billups. However the entire Hornets offense is predicated on CP3, while there is some room for creativity with Chuckmello on the floor, and Chuckmello is a better offensive threat at this point than Peja Sonnovovic.

Chandler is a man on a mission, but I think if anyone can rough him up and take him mentally out of a game, it is K-Mart, A.K.A. Tough-As-Nails.

Nene is no slouch and could provide the X factor for the Nuggets, but at the same time David West is a supreme talent at PF.
J.R. Smith at SF and Rasual Butler is going to be a fun match up. I am a little bit of a Rasual Butler fan and should the 2 coaches allow it, they will provide an entertaining match up.

I do believe that of the coaching match up, Scott has a slight edge. But in the end they are both OSCL, and therefore primed for a 'deer in the headlights' moment/dog-house crusade.

Another point to consider is that this Denver team has not yet been fully scouted and playoff battle tested. There is a lot missing on the scouting report for the WC teams. However, I think the reason the Hornets fell so far was because a PG lead team is often a 'flash in the pan' scenerio, even when there is a star PF (see Dallas and the Nowitzki/Nash situation). Once a team figures out you are PG dependent, the defense can swarm that PG and he becomes ineffective over a 7 game series.
Billups will find this out next season where I predict a steep fall for them in the standings. But they are not there yet.

I still hold by my prediction: Cavs over Nuggets in 6.

The Hornets this year have been a big disappointment to me in the way they have played. All of them, with the exception of Paul, seem to have picked up the Pistons attitude after winning the title in 04, without winning a title.

They have also dealt with a ton of injuries. Chandler has been in and mostly out all season, Peja has been hurt, Mo Pete, Devin Brown, David West have all had injuries of varying lengths. So, you really do not know what you are going to get with the Nuggets.

I honestly don't think Dumars ever intended for this trade to make the Pistons a better team. He did it to create opportunity to re-make the team. I'm glad to see that at least he sent Chauncey to a team where he could contend rather than just dump him somewhere. And anyone that thought "I"verson coming here would help the Pistons doesn't have a realistic knowledge of basketball.

Wait and judge this trade once next season starts and you see who Dumars actually trade chauncey for.