New York Knicks' Chauncey Billups vs. Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo and the East

A funny thing happened on the way to the Carmelo Anthony acquisition: the Denver Nuggets "threw in" veteran Chauncey Billups to balance the deal.

Funny, because he's really the fifth best point guard in the Eastern Conference, head-to-head.  Billups is dropping 17 points per game for the season - and over 20 PPG since he joined New York.

He's increased his offensive output in most categories for the Knicks and has added some essential defense and cool experience where there has been little. He's one of only two East point guards that own a ring.

Even Felton fans confess: Billups is a big upgrade.

After the Memphis game Thursday night, the Knicks will close out the season with all 15 remaining games against the East.  Then, it's playoff time.

So, it's important to take a look at how Chauncey Billups stacks up against his fellow Eastern Conference point guards...

Chauncy Billups vs Ramon Sessions (Cleveland Cavaliers)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Ramon Sessions #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers throws a pass to J.J. Hickson #21 in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

The Cavaliers may have the Knicks' number this year, but not necessarily Billups'.

While Cleveland has rocked New York to the tune of three straight losses this season, Chauncey and the Nuggets rolled the Cavs twice for the series sweep.

But don't come to any hasty conclusions - the fourth-year point guard on the worst team in the NBA matches up well with veteran Billups.

Still, who wouldn't take Mr. Big Shot's experience over a relative unknown.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Apr. 3 at Knicks

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Feb. 25, 2011	Billups	26	8	0	3	Knicks 109
	Sessions	22	4	2	8	Cavaliers 115
Jan. 28, 2011	Billups	11	4	1	5	Nuggets 117
	Sessions	14	13	0	3	Cavaliers 103
Jan. 15, 2011	Billups	21	8	0	3	Nuggets 127
	Sessions	21	9	1	2	Cavaliers 99

Chauncey Billups vs John Wall (Washington Wizards)

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards shoots a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Who knows what the future will bring with certainty, but rookie John Wall is making clear he's one of the best young point guards in the league.

Wall is a more proficient disher and has the advantage over Billups in steals and rebounds as well, but Billups is a more knowledgeable floor general, better ball-handler and defender.

They've only met one time and their head-to-head statistics mimicked their seasonal averages.

Again, though, especially down the playoff stretch, you have to go with ring-bearer Chauncey Billups.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: 2011-2012

Last Meeting	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Jan. 25, 2011	Billups	15	6	1	4	Nuggets 120
	Wall	10	13	2	5	Wizards 109

Chauncey Billups vs Jose Calderon (Toronto Raptors)

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TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 16: Jose Calderon #8 of the Toronto Raptors gets set to make a pass in a game against the Miami Heat on February 16, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Heat defeated the Raptors 103-95. (Photo by Claus Anders

Jose Calderon has managed to toss the rock around for over 10 assists per game for the poor-scoring Toronto Raptors, but neither he nor the team have any defensive game to speak of.

Calderon's offensive production isn't much better as his scoring average has continued to decline for a third year in a row.

The two haven't faced off this season, but from their last game against each other to the present, it's Billups with the hotter hand.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Apr. 5 at Knicks

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Mar. 26, 2010	Billups	18	4	1	2	Nuggets 97
	Calderon	3	6	0	1	Raptors 96
Nov. 17, 2009	Billups	7	10	0	2	Nuggets 130
	Calderon	16	7	1	1	Raptors 112
Dec. 31, 2008	Billups	18	7	1	3	Nuggets 114
	Calderon	18	11	0	5	Raptors 107

Chauncey Billups vs Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets)

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SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 25: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball while defended by Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on Apr

Billups and Williams have yet to see each other in their respective new uniforms, but have a bit of history carrying over from their Denver and Utah playing days.  They'll get the opportunity to check out the new digs and teammates, though, as the Knicks and Nets will square off two more times this season.

Deron Williams is at peak performance right now (and for the last couple of years) but defense is not part of his game plan.  He turns the ball over a lot and Billups will take advantage of that.  But in the end, even though the Knicks could and should beat the Nets both times, Williams' energetic game trumps Billups' experience.

It already has, too.  Last year the Jazz took care of the Nuggets 4-2 in the opening round of the playoffs and Williams outplayed Billups in all but one of the games.

Edge: Williams

Next Meeting: Mar. 30 at Knicks

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Feb. 4, 2011	Billups	13	5	1	3	Nuggets 106
	Williams	26	12	0	2	Jazz 113
Oct. 27, 2010	Billups	14	8	3	2	Nuggets 110
	Williams	17	6	0	3	Jazz 88
Jan. 17, 2010	Billups	29	4	2	5	Nuggets 119
	Williams	23	13	1	3	Jazz 112

Chauncey Billups vs Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - DECEMBER 02: Rodney Stucky #3 of the Detroit Pistonsbrings the ball upcourt against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 2, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Pistons 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

In just his fourth year, Rodney Stuckey leads the Pistons statistically (points, steals and assists) - a testament to how bad Detroit is this year and maybe how good Stuckey can be.

Billups' numbers are beefier in every category this year, and that's before you even add the seasoning.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Mar. 18 at Pistons

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Jan. 26, 2011	Billups	26	3	0	2	Nuggets 109
	Stuckey	7	1	2	0	Pistons 100
Feb. 26, 2010	Billups	25	2	0	2	Nuggets 107
	Stuckey	19	6	1	7	Pistons 102
Dec. 10, 2009	Billups	21	2	1	1	Nuggets 99
	Stuckey	25	3	2	0	Pistons 101

Chauncey Billups vs Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks)

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles with the ball during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2, 2

Brandon Jennings is having a respectable sophomore campaign, but he's just not in Billups' league.  In time, perhaps.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Mar. 20 at Bucks

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Feb. 23, 2011	Billups	21	8	2	6	Knicks 114
	Jennings	12	3	2	2	Bucks 108
Feb. 16, 2011	Billups	20	4	1	4	Nuggets 94
	Jennings	4	3	2	2	Bucks 87
Dec. 1, 2010	Billups	16	9	0	2	Nuggets 105
	Jennings	14	4	0	5	Bucks 94

Chauncey Billups vs D.J. Augustin (Charlotte Bobcats)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 11: Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets goes up against D.J. Augustin #14 of the Charlotte Bobcats during the game on November 11, 2008 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Nuggets won 88-80. NOTE

D.J. Augustin is coming into his own this year, getting the start in his third and best season so far but he, like Jennings, has a little ways to go before catching even Billups' 2010-11 production.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Mar. 26 at Bobcats

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Dec. 7, 2010	Billups	25	5	4	3	Nuggets 98
	Augustin	18	6	0	2	Bobcats 100
Jan. 25, 2010	Billups	27	11	1	6	Nuggets 104
	Augustin	3	3	1	0	Bobcats 93
Dec. 8, 2009	Billups	14	1	1	0	Nuggets 95
	Augustin	0	1	0	0	Bobcats 107

Chauncey Billups vs Darren Collison (Indiana Pacers)

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or u

A lot of people are high on Collison, but his numbers are probably the weakest amongst all the young point guards.

But, there's something about Collison and the Pacers that cools Billups' heels.

Edge: Collison

Next Meeting: Apr. 10 at Pacers

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Mar. 15, 2011	Billups	14	5	0	2	Knicks 117
	Collison	24	9	0	3	Pacers 119
Mar. 13, 2011	Billups	9	4	1	6	Knicks 93
	Collison	16	8	1	3	Pacers 103
Jan. 23, 2011	Billups	12	6	1	4	Nuggets 121
	Collison	5	2	1	1	Pacers 107

Chauncey Billups vs Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Jrue Holiday #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers moves the ball against the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

Jrue Holiday has quick hands as evidenced by his steal numbers in these first two years of his career.  He's a good ball and floor manager, too and has shown an early maturity.

Billups is no slouch on D though, having made two All-Defensive teams and continues to sport better offensive numbers than the young star.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Apr. 6 at 76ers

Last 2 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Jan. 30, 2011	Billups	27	5	1	3	Nuggets 99
	Holiday	5	7	1	2	76ers 110
Dec. 26, 2010	Billups	24	4	1	3	Nuggets 89
	Holiday	22	3	1	2	76ers 95

Chauncey Billups vs Kirk Hinrich? (Atlanta Hawks)

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 11: Kirk Hinrich #6 of the Atlanta Hawks puts up a shot over Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 11, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading an

When the Atlanta Hawks traded away Mike Bibby they were left without a true point guard.

Now they mix it up with Kirk Hinrich (pictured) and Jeff Teague in the backcourt.  Hinrich is the more experienced of the two, but Teague is coming on just recently and is getting the nod for more minutes.

Either way, Billups tops them both.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: 2011-12 or possibly but unlikely in the playoffs.

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Nov. 21, 2009	Billups	21	5	1	4	Nuggets 112
	Hinrich	9	5	0	3	Bulls 93
Nov. 10, 2009	Billups	17	6	3	2	Nuggets 90
	Hinrich	6	4	1	2	Bulls 89
Feb. 20, 2009	Billups	25	6	2	4	Nuggets 99
	Hinrich	9	8	1	1	Bulls 116

Chauncey Billups vs Jameer Nelson (Orlando Magic)

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DENVER - JANUARY 17: Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on January 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Jameer Nelson is a more proficient assister than Billups, but Chauncey is better on both sides of the ball.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Mar. 23 at Knicks

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Mar. 1, 2011	Billups	30	6	3	6	Knicks 110
	Nelson	26	4	0	3	Magic 116
Mar. 28, 2011	Billups	18	5	0	5	Nuggets 97
	Nelson	15	4	0	3	Magic 103
Jan. 13, 2010	Billups	24	5	2	1	Nuggets 115
	Nelson	8	3	0	2	Magic 97

Chauncey Billups vs Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat)

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Mario Chalmers #15 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

Yet again another good team in the East doesn't have a very good point guard.  Chalmers is deficient in all areas and has failed to improve in his first three years.  In fact, he was at the top of his defensive game in 2008-09, his rookie year, but has since fallen off.

Billups by a landslide.

Edge: Billups

Next Meeting: Possibly Round 1 of the playoffs.

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Feb. 27, 2011	Billups	16	2	2	4	Knicks 91
	Chalmers	7	0	1	2	Heat 86
Jan. 13, 2011	Billups	6	13	0	1	Nuggets 130
	Chalmers	14	3	2	0	Heat 102
Dec. 3, 2009	Billups	13	7	0	3	Nuggets 114
	Chalmers	7	3	1	1	Heat 96

Chauncey Billups vs Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 04: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics calls out to his teammates in the first half against the Golden State Warriors on March 4, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

Rajon Rondo may be the purest point guard in the Eastern Conference.  He doesn't score much (still in double figures at 10.5), but leads the league in assists per game with 11.7.

Chauncey Billups better take good care of the ball too, as Rondo is a deft thief: he led the NBA in steals last year and is on a greater pace this season.  He's been All-Defensive twice.

Edge: Rondo

Next Meeting: Apr. 13 at Celtics.  Last game of the season.

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Dec. 8,  2010	Billups	5	7	0	1	Nuggets 89
	Rondo	4	13	1	3	Celtics 105
Mar. 24, 2010	Billups	12	6	0	7	Nuggets 99
	Rondo	11	15	4	11	Celtics 113
Feb. 21, 2010	Billups	26	7	0	4	Nuggets 114
	Rondo	15	11	2	5	Celtics 105

Chauncey Billups vs Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot against the Utah Jazz at the United Center on March 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 118-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Derrick Rose.  Wow.

And now, he's propelled the Chicago Bulls to first place.  Who predicted that one?  Nobody.

He's banging almost 25 points per game and adding near 8 assists on top, and he's probably looking at his (first?) MVP.

As a bonus, he's nationally popular and as of late been deemed the heir apparent to MJ.

Edge: Rose

Next Meeting: Apr. 12 at Knicks. Next to last game of the season.

Last 3 Meetings	Player	PTS	AST	STL	TRB	Score
Nov. 8, 2010	Billups	14	4	1	4	Nuggets 92
	Rose	18	6	1	2	Bulls 94
Nov. 21, 2009	Billups	21	5	1	4	Nuggets 112
	Rose	28	3	1	6	Bulls 93
Nov. 10, 2009	Billups	17	6	3	2	Nuggets 90
	Rose	22	5	1	1	Bulls 89