Chauncey Billups News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 4

Denver Post

columnist Woody Paige

"The utmost 1-2 punch in sports history belonged to John L. Sullivan, the last bare-fisted heavyweight champion. But who possesses the best pair of knockout sledgehammers in the NBA today? The topic was discussed on ESPN's "Around the Horn" on Wednesday, and the responses were varied — Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, LeBron James and anybody. Yet, two of the superior dynamic duos, legitimate contenders for the title, converged at The Can on Wednesday night. In the blue trunks were Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, playing out of Oklahoma City, and wearing white were Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey ..."

Billups finds offense's fountain of youth

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February 28

Denver Post

columnist Benjamin Hochman

"There's a guy out there named Justin Bieber, who the kids like. He's a singing sensation with singles scattered on the pop charts. He was 1 year old the last time Chauncey Billups averaged this many points in a season. The Nuggets guard puts up 20.3 per game, the most points he's averaged since his senior year at George Washington, back in 1995 (23.5). Trying to explain this, Billups went Benjamin Button: "I'm getting younger, man!" Heading into today's game at the Lakers, the 33-year-old has led Denver in scoring the past four games and has scored 20-plus in 16 of his past 22 games (20.4). Pretty impressive, sure. But check out this dandy of a stat, courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau - ..."

Ex-Piston Chauncey Billups thrives in Denver's system

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February 28

Detroit Free Press

"Chauncey Billups, 33, was asked why it seems he's getting better as he's getting older. Billups had just made several huge plays down the stretch of the Nuggets' 107-102 victory over the Pistons on Friday night to finish off a 25-point game. Billups cut off the reporter midway through the question: "Getting younger ... getting younger, man." When the reporter finished the question, Billups told why he is putting up some of the best numbers of his career. "I'm playing in an offense that allows me more freedom to do what I do," Billups said. "Last year, I came and my scoring was pretty much the same as it was in Detroit because I was just getting a feel."

Pistons fall, Billups won't let Nuggets fade

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February 27

Denver Post

"Back-to-backs are an easy excuse for a loss. They are rough with late-night flights, draining games the night before, and the request that players amp up the energy again sometimes less than 24 hours later. But the elite teams win anyway, particularly when the second game is against an inferior opponent. The Nuggets are on a shortlist of NBA Finals contenders. These games are musts. Friday night, the Nuggets treated the game that way in a hard-fought 107-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons. A day earlier, the Nuggets had their legs run ragged in Oakland, scoring 127 points at Golden State. The toll was apparent in a slow start Friday, but the team kept its composure and walked away with ..."

Nuggets 107, Pistons 102: Billups gets some revenge

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February 27

Detroit News

"Chauncey Billups finally earned some revenge against his former team. Billups had lost his three previous games against the Pistons but was a big part of Denver's 107-102 victory Friday over the Pistons. Billups had 25 points while displaying his usual clutch play. His driving layup with a little less than three minutes left gave the Nuggets a 97-93 lead. Billups also sank a triple from the top of the key, giving the Nuggets a 100-95 lead with 2:17 remaining. Was it fun finally defeating the Pistons? "Only because there is so much friendly rivalry with my guys; other than that, it's a regular game," said Billups, who was in the Pistons training room after the game milling about with ..."

Billups drives Nuggets past Warriors

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February 26

Denver Post

"Here, hope is as rare as a four-point play. But there sat Anthony Morrow on the hardwood Thursday night, surrounded by 18,555 screaming believers. Morrow's 3-pointer and ensuing free throw cut Denver's one-time 19-point lead to six in the fourth quarter. But before the fans could sit down, Chauncey Billups spun around one defender, bumped into another, drawing a foul and banking in a shot. In Denver's 127-112 win against the woeful Warriors, Billups was the game-changer, scoring 37 points, two from his career high, and willing his team to an emotional victory. "I think we definitely fed off that play," Billups said. "If we come down and turn the ball over and they get another bucket, now ..."

Billups, Melo lead Nuggets past Celtics

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February 22

Denver Post

"In an ear-shattering falsetto that would have made even Simon Cowell speechless, Carmelo Anthony stood at his locker and sang his best Donna Summer: "I work haaaaaard for the money!" Indeed, Melo put in a hard day's work Sunday during Denver's 114-105 statement win against Boston at the Pepsi Center. Anticipating the Celtics' smothering defense, Anthony made "a conscious effort" to utilize the pass, tallying a team-high eight assists, including seven in the second half. "Sometimes, I gotta be Batman," Melo said with a smile. "And sometimes, I gotta be Robin." After Friday's dismal performance at Washington — 12 assists in a loss — Denver had 24 against Boston (35-19). In the past five ..."

Billups fails to hit stride, finishes third

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February 14

Denver Post

"Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! And there weren't even Lakers defenders in Chauncey Billups' face. "I had it going for a little bit," Billups said with a smile. In Saturday's NBA 3-point contest, the Nuggets' Billups made his first four 3-pointers and finished with 17 points to advance to the final round, but then he totaled just 14 points to finish third. Boston's Paul Pierce won the hardware with 20 points; Golden State rookie Stephen Curry was second with 17. There were five racks of five balls, and the last ball of each rack, the "money ball," was worth two points."

Nuggets' Billups has eyes on 2012 Olympic gold

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February 11

Denver Post

"With the 2004 NBA title under his belt, Chauncey Billups has already won a world championship, but as he said Wednesday, "I want to win a world, world championship." That's Olympic gold, 2012 in London. But first are the world championships later this year. "If I had that opportunity, I would cherish it," Billups said. Billups and teammate Carmelo Anthony will join 25 other players at July's Team USA training camp in Las Vegas, where the roster will be determined for the 2010 world championships (Aug. 28-Sept. 12). Nuggets coach George Karl and Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo said Billups, 33, could be the important elder statesman on the team, providing leadership and poise."

Billups, Melo on Team USA

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February 10

Denver Post

"Nuggets all-stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups today were named to the Team USA roster, which will be the pool of players for international competition from 2010-12. When training camp opens in July, Billups, 33, will be the oldest player on the 27-man roster. He turns 34 in September. "This is another important step in the reassembling of the USA National Team for the next three years of competitions that will include the FIBA World Championship in 2010, and if we qualify, the 2012 Olympics in London," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a release today."

Karl in no rush to rest Billups, Melo for now

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February 10

Denver Post

"Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony will play in the NBA All-Star Game, though it's understandable that the Nuggets have discussed resting them because of their ankle injuries. But both played Tuesday against the Mavericks and should be able to play Thursday against the Spurs, Denver's last game before the all-star break. "I don't deny (that rest) has been talked about, but I think that conversation for me will be Sunday morning," said Denver coach George Karl, who will coach the Western Conference all-stars in Sunday's game in Arlington, Texas. "I'll ask, 'How much do you want to play, guys?' I think it's an advantage (being the coach). Chauncey's made it very clear to me that he wants ..."

Melo returns, but Martin is sidelined

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February 10

Denver Post

(scroll down)

"Anthony, who returned from an ankle injury, eased his way into the game, tallying three assists before scoring his first field goal. He finished with 8-for-16 shooting, as well as contributing four rebounds and six assists, one from tying a season high. "I felt good," said Melo, who made three 3-pointers. "I wanted to see what I can do and can't do, and I found I can do pretty much what I've been doing." Curiously, Anthony didn't get to the foul line once. But Karl said, "I don't know how much he was into trying to use his feet to explode by somebody. It'll take some time.""

Melo and Chauncey sit out in loss to Jazz; Melo hoping to return Tuesday

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February 7

Denver Post

"As Nuggets guard Anthony Carter soared for a baseline dunk in the fourth quarter Saturday night, one wondered what was more improbable: That Carter soared for a baseline dunk? That Carter was on the court with Johan Petro, Malik Allen, J.R. Smith and Joey Graham in the fourth quarter? Or that Carter's dunk cut the Utah Jazz's lead, once 18 points in the third quarter, to three? Beleaguered and banged up, the Nuggets indeed hung around. But the Jazz pulled away for a 116-106 victory, its lone win against the Nuggets this season. "After the way we started in the first quarter, a lot of teams could have thrown it in and collapsed," said Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team beat the Lakers ..."

Billups bullies L.A. in huge road victory

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February 6

Denver Post

"One by one, they popped up from their courtside seats and shuffled toward the exits, and not even their surgically squeezed faces could prevent the frowns. At the Staples Center on Friday night, the visiting Nuggets sent the Lakers and their chic fans home in a hissy after a remarkable 126-113 win. This was Avatar big. In fact, it was the biggest win of the season for numerous reasons — Denver won on the road, against the hated Lakers — and did so without the injured Carmelo Anthony. Before the game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson was asked to describe Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups: "He's a director, a conductor of what's going on. . . . And if he sees his team needs scoring, he finds a way to ..."

Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups added to All-Star team

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February 4

Denver Post

"NBA commissioner David Stern today added Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups to the Western Conference all-star team, the league said. Billups, a Denver native, will take the spot of New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who is out with a knee injury. Teammate Carmelo Anthony is starting at forward, and Denver coach George Karl is coaching the West on Feb. 14 in Dallas. Billups, who will be making his fifth all-star appearance, had plans to go to Mexico for the long weekend. At shootaround this morning before the announcement, Billups said he was not campaigning on his behalf, that's for sure. "Nah, not doing that," Billups said. "I do what I do. If it gets recognized, then fine. If it doesn't that's ..."

Melo a game-time decision; Billups OK

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February 3

Denver Post

"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony did not participate in today's morning shootaround and is a game-time decision for tonight's contest against the Suns at the Pepsi Center. "I'd say when he comes in tonight we'll see how it goes," coach George Karl said. Instead of attending the walk-through with the rest of the team on the main Pepsi Center court, Anthony worked with trainer Steve Hess on the Nuggets' practice court, and received treatment afterward. He did not speak with assembled media. Anthony has missed five straight games with a left ankle sprain. He will get back on the practice court prior to the game to see how it feels and make a decision from there on an injury that has taken 11 ..."

Nuggets' coach Karl miffed at Billups' All-Star snub

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January 30

Denver Post

"Chauncey Billups may be taking his All-Star snub in stride, but coach George Karl has a bone to pick at his guard's exclusion. And, for that matter, the exclusion of rookie Ty Lawson and sharp-shooting Arron Afflalo as well. Let him explain. "I can't deny that I'm highly disappointed that Chauncey, Ty and Afflalo didn't get more recognition," Karl said Friday afternoon. "I think all of them deserve to be. Arron in the 3-point contest, Ty I think has proven to be a top-five, top-10 rookie easily in my mind. But the abundance of guards probably forced him out, and the same reason for Chauncey."

Nuggets' Billups left off the NBA all-star team

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January 29

Denver Post

"NBA coaches snubbed the Nuggets' Chauncey Billups, leaving him off the list of reserves for the All-Star game next month in Dallas. The reserves, chosen by a vote of the league's coaches, was announced tonight. But Billups wasn't be among the Western players. Instead, coaches picked: guards Chris Paul of New Orleans, Deron Williams of Utah and Brandon Roy of Portland; Lakers center Pau Gasol; forwards Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki; and forward-center Zach Randolph of Memphis. Denver's Carmelo Anthony was already voted a starter for the game. He will be the only Nuggets player, unless a West player doesn't play because of injury and Billups steps in."

Billups hopes to extend all-star streak

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January 23

Denver Post

"Now that Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is an all-star starter, and coach George Karl is vying for a coaching spot, the team and its fans are left to ponder Chauncey Billups' fate. Billups is considered one of the best point guards in the game - and has a current four-year streak of all-star appearances to prove it - but a numbers game might keep him from getting a nod this season. "Being an all-star is an honor," Billups said. "I never take that for granted, and it never gets old. If it happens, I will definitely be honored. If it doesn't, it won't be because I'm not playing at an all-star level." Billups' averages are 18.9 points, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals. He shoots a solid 41.8 ..."

Nuggets bring back Billups-Lawson duo in same backcourt

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January 18

Denver Post

"Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson returned to the court Sunday, so coach George Karl returned to an experiment he started in mid-December — playing Lawson and Chauncey Billups in the same backcourt. "That hasn't happened as much as it could happen in the second half of the season," Karl suggested. Lawson had missed the past four games because of a left ankle sprain, and because of both point guards' injuries, they hadn't been active together since Dec. 16. Karl put the two on the court in the last five minutes of the second quarter, and although it has been an effective lineup at times, in this particular instance Utah outscored Denver 15-9. "I think you see a lot of teams in the league going ..."

Anthony's 37 points, Billups' big shot propel Nuggets past Jazz

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January 18

Denver Post

"Like Jay Leno, the Jazz just wouldn't go away. Down by double digits in Sunday night's third and fourth quarters, pesky Utah clawed back each time, even cutting Denver's lead to four with a minute left — the time when nicknames are made. "At that point in time in the game, if Chauncey Billups is open and I give it to him, I have faith in him," Carmelo Anthony said. In Denver's 119-112 win, Mr. Big Shot hit the biggest — a "dagger" 3-pointer, as Nuggets coach George Karl called it, a play that finally swatted away the Jazz (23-18). "We had a lot of big wins this season, and this is probably one of the biggest wins right here," said Anthony, whose Nuggets have beaten the likes of the Lakers, ..."

Third quarter is prime time for Billups' skills

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January 16

Denver Post

"Chauncey Billups is often the closer, but his most reliable role - albeit not as "SportsCenter" sexy - is as the set-up man. They say basketball games are won in the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets guard often wins them in the third quarter, statistically his best. Take Wednesday's win against Orlando. Denver trailed by three points at the half, but by the end of the third Denver led by 13. In those 12 minutes, Billups scored 12 points, the same total he scored in the first half. Billups averages 17.9 points per game, which ranks 34th in the NBA, but in the third quarter, Mr. Big Shot averages exactly seven points, which ranks seventh in third-quarter scoring. "The first half, it's not ..."

Letting Chauncey Billups go haunted Orlando Magic for years

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January 14

Orlando Sentinel

"Wednesday night, Jameer Nelson and the Orlando Magic met up with an old nemesis: Point guard Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets. Six years ago, the Magic were looking for a young point guard and reached a draft-day deal with the Nuggets, who picked Nelson on their behalf. It's worked out pretty well, with Nelson becoming an all-star last season. Before that, though, the Magic could have likely solved their point-guard search: They had acquired Billups from the Nuggets, in 2000, during his first stop in Denver. Turns out, he was just passing through Orlando, let go six months later. What if the Magic had kept Billups, who went on to blossom in Detroit and become a four-time all-star? ..."

McDyess is right and wrong about Chauncey trade

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January 11

Detroit Free Press

"Ripping the Chauncey Billups deal now is like ripping the Darko pick or the Larry Brown firing or the Michael Curry mess. (Wait, why are all of these Pistons examples?) Of course, it looks brutal in the rear view mirror. To recap – Billups was the missing link for Denver and drove the Nuggets into the Western Conference finals. Allen Iverson was the missing cancer here in Detroit and drove the Pistons to a first-round sweep at the hands of the Cavs and drove the MGM Grand into profitability in the six months that he lived here. I will still argue the theory behind the trade made sense, but the execution since has me scratching my large head. The theory (which McDyess conveniently forgets) ..."

Billups restores Nuggets' rhythm

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January 10

Sacramento Bee

"One might say the Denver Nuggets lacked some rhythm in their previous trip to Arco Arena. Missing the rhythm from point guard Chauncey Billups, who was out because of a groin strain, Denver lost to the Kings 106-101 last month. It goes without saying the Nuggets are a better team with Billups, who played a key role in Denver reaching the Western Conference finals last season. Billups was back in the lineup Saturday night when Denver faced the Kings at Arco Arena. He makes a big difference in how the Nuggets play. "Teams that have (rhythm and flow), you know they have it, and it usually comes from a point guard," Denver coach George Karl said. Over the last two seasons, when Billups ..."

Nuggets' Billups says he's fit to play against Cavaliers

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January 7

Denver Post

"The Nuggets' treatment room was full Wednesday. It's not the sight anyone in the organization cares to see, but it's the reality in which they live. Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Andersen, Nene and Ty Lawson are the main concerns, but Anthony Carter also limped out of the Pepsi Center with ice bags covering various joints on his lower body. The Nuggets are banged up. But Billups offered a glimmer of hope when he participated in an abbreviated practice Wednesday and then pronounced himself fit to play Friday night against Cleveland. The veteran point guard has missed eight of the Nuggets' past nine games and admitted he probably pushed himself to return too fast, causing a ..."

Former Piston Antonio McDyess rips last year's Chauncey Billups trade

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January 6

Detroit Free Press

"It appears former Piston Antonio McDyess is still thinking about the events that led him to leave the Pistons last summer. In comments to the San Antonio media today, McDyess openly questioned last season's infamous trade of Chauncey Billups (McDyess' best friend) to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson - which effectively ended the Pistons' era of Eastern Conference dominance. He also didn't express a whole lot of sympathy for the organization that was going through a nine-game losing streak going into tonight's game against the Mavericks."

Nuggets' Billups to miss game vs. Warriors, but Anthony might play

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January 5

Denver Post

"Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups will miss at least one more game because of a strained left groin that has sidelined him for seven of the past eight games. Forward Carmelo Anthony (bruised right knee) hopes to be back tonight against Golden State. In those eight games, the Nuggets are just 2-6. Billups' importance becomes clearer by the day because of how the team struggles when he's out. Anthony, who is second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.0 points per game, is listed as day to day."

Billups return Saturday questionable

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January 1

Denver Post

"The plan made sense — rest Chauncey Billups during Denver's back-to-back games earlier this week, take four days off, and by Saturday, he'd be back. Not so fast. On Wednesday, when Billups was asked about playing at Utah on Saturday, he said softly: "I don't know man, I really don't know, to be honest." Billups' groin strain remains a pain on the court. "It doesn't hurt to walk around or even jog — I feel good — it's the cutting, trying to get by a defender," he said. "That's my problem most of the times." The all-star point guard has missed five of Denver's past six games. He played one half at Portland and has since determined he tweaked the groin and "kind of weakened the muscle." Read ..."

Nuggets' Billups will sit two games

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December 28

Denver Post

"Denver Nuggets all-star point guard Chauncey Billups will not play in tonight's game against Dallas or Monday's game at Sacramento, in hopes that the rest will help him fully recover from his lingering left groin strain. Billups did play the first half of Friday's loss at Portland, but rested the the groin in the second half. The groin has improved but is not 100 percent, so the plan is to rest during these two back-to-back games and avoid any lingering problems. After Monday's game, the Nuggets don't play again until Saturday at Utah. Ty Lawson and Anthony Carter will continue to share point guard duties."

Billups sits out second half as precaution

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December 26

Denver Post

"Chauncey Billups sat at his locker 90 minutes before tipoff, when George Karl approached him and said, "Ready to go?" "Yes, sir," Billups said, matter-of-factly. "Thank you," the coach said. It was a fitting gift on this particular day of the year. Billups was back after missing three games due to a strained left groin. "He's our motor," Karl said of the all-star guard. "The best way to get him into the game is from the starting position. He's had a couple of good days. It's one of these situations where if he's healthy, he'll get back into it pretty quickly." Billups decided to sit out the second half of Friday night's game just to be cautious with his injury. He finished with 10 points ..."

Nuggets won't rush Billups back from injury

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December 22

Denver Post

"It is starting to appear the Nuggets will be without their floor leader for at least another game, and maybe beyond that. Chauncey Billups wants to play, but his presence on the court Wednesday against Atlanta is up in the air because of a strained groin. The veteran point guard jogged up and down the court Monday as the Nuggets returned to practice, but Billups wasn't happy with the returns. He participated in some three man-weave drills. "But when I tried to pick it up and get to a sprint, I wasn't able to really get to sprint like I wanted to," Billups said. "I was a little frustrated with that. "It's better than (it was Sunday), but I couldn't really run like I wanted to. I thought I ..."

Billups looks to return Wednesday

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December 18

Denver Post

"Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups said he doesn't think he will play tonight at New Orleans, where Denver will face the Hornets in a rematch of the first round of the NBA playoffs from last season. Billups injured his groin in Wednesday's win against Houston and is day-to-day heading into Sunday's game at Memphis. Denver coach George Karl pointed to Denver's off days Monday and Tuesday as additional recovery for Billups, suggesting that next Wednesday against Atlanta is likely when his star point guard will return. At Denver's morning shootaround at New Orleans Arena, Karl said point guard Anthony Carter will start tonight because Carter has past experience against Hornets guard Chris ..."

Nuggets' Billups could miss game Friday

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December 18

Denver Post

"Though Chauncey Billups is listed as day to day with a strained left groin, the Nuggets point guard will likely sit out at least tonight's game against the New Orleans Hornets, and perhaps additional contests. If so, what would the Nuggets do? First, don't be surprised if the Nuggets start Anthony Carter in Billups' place. That way, coach George Karl could keep the continuity of his bench and rotation intact. Rookie Ty Lawson would come off the bench as the reserve point guard, and J.R. Smith would handle the ball as well in his normal sixth-man role. If Karl were a bit paranoid about a lack of scoring from a starting lineup that had Carter and Arron Afflalo in the backcourt, he could go ..."

Nuggets defeat Rockets, lose Billups for "a couple" of games

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December 17

Denver Post

"Early in the third quarter Wednesday night, Chauncey Billups ambled toward the locker room, untucked his jersey, peered at his parents in the stands and shrugged his shoulders in frustration. Billups suffered a strained left groin in the Nuggets' 111-101 win against Houston, and coach George Karl said his point guard could be out "a couple games." While leaving the Pepsi Center during the fourth quarter, Billups said: "It's hurting, but I'll be all right. I'm going to get an MRI to make sure it's not too bad." The Nuggets should know today the severity of the injury, which Billups suffered in the second quarter. The Nuggets (19-7) play at New Orleans on Friday and at Memphis on Sunday, and ..."

Billups' offense back in business

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December 13

Denver Post

"Mr. Big Shot is back. Chauncey Billups has the nickname for a reason, and Saturday night that reason was making huge baskets when the Nuggets needed them most. Boy, did they need them. The Phoenix Suns, left for dead in the conversation of the Western Conference's best teams, instead are a surprise entrant into the conference's contenders. And they are legit. The Nuggets saw them up-close for the first time Saturday at the Pepsi Center, and it almost ended in disaster. Instead, Billups scored seven critical points in the fourth quarter, and the Nuggets escaped with a 105-99 victory. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and, for the moment, pushed the Suns out of a second-place tie with ..."

Billups: Pistons could be dangerous when the postseason arrives

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December 12

Detroit Free Press

"The Pistons' 101-99 takedown of the Nuggets last night was one of the most entertaining nights at the Palace in some time (well, I missed Springsteen calling us 'Ohio,' but I digress). After the game, local scribes wanted to get Chauncey Billups' take on the new look of his former team. "They are going to be dangerous," he said. "I definitely wouldn't want to face them in the first round of a playoff series, because they have so many weapons. "The bigs know who they are, they rebound, they play big, and they really don't want the ball. When you have guys that know who they are and really embrace that, and you have weapons offensively, then you are dangerous.""

Chauncey Billups just can't beat the Pistons

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December 11

Detroit Free Press

"For all the teeth-gnashing over last season's trade of fan favorite Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets, people forget that the Pistons actually were a perfect 2-0 against Billups and the Nuggets last season. Make it 3-0 after Thursday night's entertaining 101-99 victory over the Western Conference power at the Palace. Ben Wallace's tip-in off an offensive rebound and his steal from Billups in the closing 2 minutes helped bring the Pistons (10-12) their fourth straight victory and brought tremendous pride to Pistons coach John Kuester. "We talk to the team a lot about the elements of the NBA," Kuester said. "You play an emotional game the night before, you travel, you don't get in until 2, ..."

A Lift - Then a Loss

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December 8

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Not just Allen Iverson returned to the Wachovia Center last night. The 76ers' energy, effort, and enthusiasm did, too.Unfortunately for the Sixers, victory was not part of that package deal.In front of a sellout crowd of 20,664, the Sixers were something they've rarely been this season: fun to watch. But the night also ended the way the previous nine had: with a loss.The Denver Nuggets spoiled Iverson's homecoming, defeating the Sixers, 93-83.The loss makes 10 in a row for the Sixers. They haven't won since defeating the Charlotte Bobcats on Nov. 18. The Sixers dropped to 5-16; Denver improved to 16-5.Iverson, last night's starting point guard, received an ovation fit for a king. And ..."

Billups making push for points

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November 29

Denver Post

"The mind of Chauncey Billups works in ways still to be discovered as his time with the Nuggets grows longer. At issue this time: scoring. Specifically, Billups had not been doing much of it until recently, and many were beginning to wonder why. In a Nov. 13-20 three-game stretch, Billups averaged 6.0 points per game. Since then, the veteran point guard has averaged 19.3 points in his last four, including 32 points on Friday in the Nuggets' win over the Knicks. So, what changed? Pretty much nothing, Billups said. He was just letting his teammates hit their stride. "Well, I think we're better when I'm looking to score, especially early, because it puts so much pressure on the defense," ..."

Knicks find Nugget of hope after close Denver loss

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November 29

New York Post

"A long, strange trip, it was. The Knicks are back at the Garden tonight after enduring an 0-fer out West, playing host to Orlando. They lost all three games to fall to 3-13. They lost Eddy Curry for the final two with another knee injury. They heard Lakers forward Ron Artest claim players are afraid to sign with the Knicks because of negative fans and media. They endured Nuggets coach George Karl's opinion the club's plan of trashing two seasons to wait for 2010 usually doesn't work and is unfair to coach Mike D'Antoni. And yet the Knicks got out of Denver pleased with matters, as they took the Nuggets down to the final buzzer in a 128-125 loss Friday. You appreciate the small things ..."

Streaky Bulls fade away

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November 22

Chicago Sun-Times

"Basketball is a game of runs and momentum swings, but the Bulls and Denver Nuggets took it to ridiculous extremes Saturday night in the Pepsi Center. After controlling much of the first half and leading by 14 points, the Bulls fell apart in the fourth quarter in suffering a 112-93 loss. ''Embarrassing'' Bulls guard Derrick Rose said. ''We can't give up. We have to run back, play defense. I'm not calling anybody out; we were all out there. Towards the end we were acting lackadaisical.'' Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro was no less critical. ''I didn't like our intensity or effort,'' Del Negro said. ''Our rotations were slow. Once they got on a little bit of a roll, we had no answer for them ..."

Nuggets rally to blow out Chicago Bulls 112-93

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November 22

Chicago Tribune

"Back-to-back blowout losses forced the Bulls finally to blow up. An uncharacteristically blunt Vinny Del Negro expressed disappointment in his players' effort after the Nuggets' run-away-and-hide 112-93 victory Saturday night at Pepsi Center. And the players didn't disagree. "We can't give up," Derrick Rose said. "It's embarrassing. We have to run back, play defense, play hard. I'm not calling out anybody. All of us out there toward the end were acting lackadaisical and not playing together." And when the opponent is the high-flying Nuggets, a 37-point fourth quarter is the result. J.R. Smith scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, opting for style points with a double-pump dunk ..."

Billups expands role to boost playmaking

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November 1

Denver Post

"The last time Chauncey Billups played extensively at two-guard was in 2000, when he started at the position in Minnesota alongside point guard Terrell Brandon. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons. "It's not something that I liked," Billups said. "I never liked playing two-guard. Especially if that's the position I'm playing the whole time." This time around it's a bit different as the veteran has been asked to reprise the role. Billups has played shooting guard in portions of the Nuggets' first two games. His assessment? "It's cool," Billups said. Nuggets coach George Karl has played speedy rookie Ty Lawson and the heady Billups together in order to get more playmakers on the ..."

Billups, Nuggets begin quest for NBA title

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October 28

Denver Post

"The team huddled around its quarterback, a long drive on the horizon. After Tuesday's Nuggets practice, Chauncey Billups spoke softly about the quest that begins tonight: the team's elusive search for an NBA title, beginning with a home game against Utah. If Denver is to return to the Western Conference finals — and stone-sling the Goliaths that are the Lakers en route to the NBA Finals — it will undoubtedly be because of Billups, rising to the occasion much like an Elway. Entering his second season in his second go-round with Denver, Billups said he knows his teammates' tendencies even better, he knows how to better motivate and he knows what the Nuggets did to blow winnable games that ..."

Nuggets rookie Lawson ready to intern behind Billups, Carter

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September 28

Denver Post

"Ty Lawson plans to be patient as he begins his NBA career. Minutes early in the season will likely be hard to come by for the Nuggets guard, selected 18th in this year's NBA draft. And while that won't sit well with fans who have a Christmas Eve-type expectation of seeing the North Carolina product on the court, it will be coach George Karl's decision on when Lawson is ready for a significant role. "I'm sure you guys are going to have fun criticizing me on that one," Karl said. "I still love (Anthony Carter). I think A.C. is a big part of why we've been successful here. But the kid's good. The kid's had a very good summer, and he's had a very good September in our gym." According to ..."

Billups believes best yet to come for Nuggets

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May 30

Denver Post

"Chauncey Billups slapped hands with fans, even as he smarted on the inside. He walked off the court for the last time this season after the Nuggets' Game 6 loss to the Lakers, the book closed on a feel-good story no one is soon to forget. The final chapter was a downer, written in quicksand script. Billups' last four quarters of the series read as such: 2-for-7 from the field, 10 points. A team he was on lost in the conference finals for the fourth consecutive season. The Nuggets, a team he believed could get a shot at all the marbles, fell short. In time, the end of the story will fade away and what Billups meant to the team, and what returning to Denver meant to him, will be the enduring ..."

Ripple effect of Billups trade continues in NBA

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May 24

Detroit Free Press

"The Pistons need a point guard, and that's the equivalent of tossing a bucket of gasoline on an already roaring fire. This is when the self-anointed curbside basketball geniuses proclaim -- for the millionth time -- that the Pistons never should've traded Chauncey Billups. Somehow, watching Billups lead Denver to that city's first conference championship series in a generation fosters the notion that the Pistons would've earned a seventh straight Eastern Conference finals appearance simply by keeping Billups. But nobody can say who would've played the role of dynamic scoring small forward Carmelo Anthony on the Pistons this season. Or who had Kenyon Martin's defensive intensity, for that ..."

All-NBA honors for Chauncey, Carmelo

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May 14

Denver Post

"For the first time in Nuggets history, two players were named to an all-NBA team in the same season. Guard Chauncey Billups and forward Carmelo Anthony were named to the third team Wednesday, the third time each player made an all-NBA team. "It's the honor in the league," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Making all-NBA is the status of acceptance, the status of 'you've arrived.' " Billups became the sixth Nuggets player to make an all-NBA team, joining Anthony, David Thompson, Alex English, Fat Lever and Antonio McDyess, one of Billups' closest friends in basketball. On the all-NBA first team, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was joined by fellow forward LeBron James of Cleveland, guards Kobe ..."