Chauncey Billups: Welcome Home

The Denver Nuggets have been in dire need of a true point guard since the 2006-2007 season after they traded Andre Miller (point guard), draft picks, and others to the 76ers for Allen Iverson (shooting guard). Finally, after almost two full seasons, Denver is getting just what they need.

The Nuggets and Pistons agreed to a deal that sent Chauncey Billups and power forward Antonio McDyess to Denver for Iverson. Both Billups and McDyess are returning to Denver after having played there early on in their careers.

Detroit is hoping that Iverson will be the spark the team needs to get past the Eastern Conference Finals and into the NBA Finals for the first time since 2005. Also, Iverson has an expiring contract that will give Detroit the ability to attract free agents during the off-season.

Denver, on the other hand, hopes Billups will team better with Carmelo Anthony than Iverson did, and that he will help get the Nuggets through the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

Iverson was brought in to fill the void left by Anthony after he was suspended for 15 games that season. The result, however, was the same: an early playoff exit. After a disappointing exit in last year’s playoffs, made all the more disappointing with the high expectations entering the season, a change had to be made.

The first player to go was Marcus Camby, one of the best defenders in the league. Denver literally gave Camby away to the Los Angeles Clippers. Denver received a potential second round draft pick in return. This was done to clear some salary cap space, and many saw it as a sign that the Nuggets are rebuilding.

There was speculation of a possible Iverson trade for later in the year, but it came three games into the season. It could not have been better timing for the Nuggets.

Billups, unlike Iverson, is a true team player. He looks for the pass before the shot, and always hopes to make the most out of every possession. He will help the Nuggets immensely, on both offense and defense.

Although he doesn’t score as many points as Iverson, Billups distributes the ball better, and has far less turnovers. Also, Billups is a much better defender than Iverson.

Antonio McDyess will also help the Nuggets. Denver lost a lot in giving away Camby, and McDyess will give them more depth in the frontcourt because he can play both forward and center. McDyess can also score, defend, and rebound; he will be a great contributor.

Overall, this is an excellent trade for the Nuggets. It gives them a true distributor who can score, a deeper frontcourt, some much-needed defense, and more team-oriented players. This trade will allow Denver to better contend with Utah for the Northwest Division title, as well as help them with their recent playoff woes.

Billups and McDyess may be just what George Karl and the Nuggets need to finally become an elite team in the west.