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Why Billups is a good fit in Denver

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The Nuggets went 50-32 last season in Allen Iverson's only full year with the team. But they were quickly dispatched in the first round of the playoffs by the Lakers. The thinking from Nuggets brass was a top point guard was needed to better distribute the ball, including to rising star Nene, who wasn't getting a lot of touches at center, and that the 6-foot-3 Chauncey Billups would provide more of a defensive presence than the 6-foot Iverson. "Chauncey guards. Iverson doesn't," said Clippers assistant Kim Hughes, an assistant during Billups' previous Nuggets stint of 1998-2000. "Chauncey's a big guard, so you don't need to help him out in the low post."

Rocky Mountain News

Chauncey Billups, AP Chauncey Billups, AP
December 2, 2008  09:46 AM ET

He's a team player, class act, solid point guard, and most importantly a top notch leader.

December 2, 2008  09:47 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

He's a team player, class act, solid point guard, and most importantly a top notch leader.

yes

December 2, 2008  09:47 AM ET

The defensive aspect is a good point. Iverson has gotten an underserved reputation as a good defender when in reality he just cherry picks the passing lanes and winds up with a bunch of steals.

Comment #4 has been removed
December 2, 2008  10:32 AM ET

AI is an offensive black hole he always has been. He does play D, not even in "practice". I hope Billups makes Detroit regret this move for a long, long time.

December 2, 2008  10:38 AM ET

He's from denver, he is a top 10 point guard in the league !

December 2, 2008  11:00 AM ET

Billups is a gem, albeit an older one. Denver knew what they were doing. They are a much better club with him.

Iverson is a risk of the first order. Will they be a better club with him. That depends on how much Iverson wants to accomodate to the Pistons style. If he does adjust, the Pistons will be better. If he doesn't he is likely out of the NBA, and the Pistons have some money for new players.

Comment #8 has been removed
December 2, 2008  11:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

AI is an offensive black hole he always has been. He does play D, not even in "practice". I hope Billups makes Detroit regret this move for a long, long time.

I still think this is a move where no one really loses. AI has a chance to prove himself, denver and chauncey both seem very happy, and to be honest, and as a Pistons fan, I would be happy with this trade even if AI was in a wheelchair for the rest of the season, no matter what Joe D says, this is a trade for the future, with the added bonus of new playoff energy if AI happens to somehow workout this year..

December 2, 2008  11:15 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

He's a team player, class act, solid point guard, and most importantly a top notch leader.

Agreed.

December 2, 2008  11:23 AM ET

because they r winning?? DUH!!!!

December 2, 2008  11:31 AM ET

Billups is successful in Denver because he was exactly what this team needed--leadership on the floor. A natural point guard, and someone not looking for his shot everytime he touches the ball. Imagine the current team with a center.

December 2, 2008  11:45 AM ET

He's not 6'3" unless he's grown since '04. I'm 6'2" and was at least taller than him by an inch or more. That makes Iverson 5'10".

December 2, 2008  11:53 AM ET

You also have to give a lot of credit to the Nuggets in general, from the coaches to the players. They've bent over backwards to reinvent themselves, and all the players were on board. Everyone put their egos aside and let Chauncey do what he does and take charge of the team, and they embraced it instead of fussing about it. They've got a real leader on the floor now and they've dedicated themselves to improving their defense. They are playing like a team instead of a bunch of high-powered individuals.

December 2, 2008  12:05 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

You also have to give a lot of credit to the Nuggets in general, from the coaches to the players. They've bent over backwards to reinvent themselves, and all the players were on board

What ??
how exactly did they 'reinventing' themselves?

It is Karl's MISMANAGEMENT that kept them from
solids runs the last few years....

December 2, 2008  12:31 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

He's not 6'3" unless he's grown since '04. I'm 6'2" and was at least taller than him by an inch or more. That makes Iverson 5'10".

I love your math.

If you're an inch taller than him he's 6'-1". If he's 5'-10" then you're 5'-11".

Your "or more" would have to be 4 inches for your math to work. That's the only way for him to be 5'-10" AND you to be 6'-2".

BTW, the article said Billups was 6'-3" and Iverson was 6'-0" even. That would make him 2 inches shorter than you.

December 2, 2008  12:34 PM ET

I mean Iverson didnt even run the point so i dont know why they keep comparing the 2 guys. I mean yeah they were traded for each other and they both help their new ball clubs. Plus AI played PG everyonce in a while but its no joke that he looks for his own shot first before anyone else. So why are people still talking about this.

December 2, 2008  01:04 PM ET

if all of you know so damn much, why arnt you coaching?

December 2, 2008  01:06 PM ET

No surprise. Except for very few teams with solid PGs, (Utah, New Orleans, and San Antonio, etc..), Billups is an upgrade at that position. Denver didn't have a PG and Billups fill that hole perfectly.

 
December 2, 2008  01:50 PM ET
QUOTE(#18):

if all of you know so damn much, why arnt you coaching?

Someone please explain the concept of FN to meatman (interesting choice of screen name by the way... The whole idea here is that folks share their opinions and ideas regardless of what they do for a living.

Wouldn't be much fun if everyone sat back and said "Well, the Nuggets sure are underachieving, but I'm going to reserve my opinion since George Karl is an NBA coach and I just work at the bank". Good Lord.

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