The (Un)Forgotten Hero: Chauncey Billups
How many players can say they have completely changed the face of a franchise…twice. Chauncey Billups got traded to the Denver Nuggets the beginning of the 08/09 season and few predicted his impact on the team would affect the whole league, but why? Why has this player, who has been doubted his whole career, even after a final’s MVP continues to not be considered one of the NBA’s most elite?
Chauncey Billups started his career out drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics, but was traded to the Raptors halfway through the season for Kenny Smith. Billups then bounced around the league a bit more, even make a quick stop at his future and past home, Denver, before signing as a free agent to the Detroit Pistons in the summer of 2002. Billups was joined by the likes of players such as Rasheed Wallace, Tayshuan Prince, Rip Hamilton, and Ben Wallace, a team of outcasts similar to him, bouncing around the league, never having found a home. Chauncey’s impact on the team was immediate. Only taking two years to transform this group of esoteric individuals into NBA Champions, beating out a Lakers team who on paper could have arguably had the greatest starting 5 in NBA history.
After leading this doubtful but consistent Detroit team to 6 straight conference finals, the front office thought it was time for change, as did Denver’s. On November 3rd, 2008, Chauncey arrived in Denver via trade that would send Allen Iverson over to Detroit. Chauncey’s impact on that team was even more immediate than his previous stay in Detroit. Billup’s would go on to lead this handful of misfits, led by Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nene, and the always erratic J.R Smith, to multiple franchise bests in a season.
Billup’s demand for respect was realized early. As a native and an NBA Finals already under his belt, Chauncy quickly reorganized the teams priorities, something the prior, Allen Iverson, has yet to discover in his career. (As a big Iverson fan my whole life, that’s not a knock on A.I, just a matter of fact that the two’s goals are different) Chauncy put the emphasis on defense, a mentality he brought with him from Detroit. Billup’s led, and you better believe the Nuggets followed. Leading them to their best start in franchise history of 27-14, eventually leading to a 54-28 record, and the second seed in a highly competitive and talented Western Conference. Breezing through the playoffs, the Nuggets were going into the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years, facing the eventual NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. After a grueling battle, the Lakers dropped the franchise from the hunt after 6 games. One more than the Orlando Magic had won in the Finals.
The MVP of the league has had some redefining throughout the years. After Kobe’s scoring barrage of the 2005 season, many LA fans were left chanting MVP in the dark, watching as Steve Nash “earned” two back to back MVP’s. The reason? According to the NBA, The MVP is the most valuable player on the most valuable team, not necessarily the one with the best statistics. Well, the Sun’s never won a championship, and although the Nuggets have yet to as well, Chauncey definitely played the role of league MVP. He completely transformed this team into what it was supposed to been all these years, championship caliber, a task head coach George Karl couldn’t even do, despite it being his job. The MVP of the 09 season was a well deserved LeBron James, averaging career high’s in almost ever statistical category while improving his defense, having potential for a triple-double every night is MVP worthy, but Chauncy didn’t even finish in the top 4 in MVP voting. A man that has taken two separate underdog teams to a total of 7 straight conference finals had his name left out again. He’s been the leader of team’s that should have hardly made the playoffs, let alone make any noise, but consistently leads better than any one point guard in the NBA, a skill that deserves recognizing.
Chauncey played the role of head general and point guard with his time on and off the floor. Chauncey took this group of misunderstood souls: Carmelo, hardly the definition of a poster boy after his constant mishaps throughout his time in the league, Kenyon Martin, especially after the Dallas series, has had this “thug” image in the NBA’s eyes, and J.R Smith’s record speaks for itself. Despite all of these players off court troubles and suspensions and lack of teamwork, the skill and talent has always been there. This team was already very similar to the Pistons, a group of rebels that didn’t and couldn’t fit in anywhere else, look up to Chauncey. The leader of the unwanted, who doesn’t have a care if he’s wanted or not, just wants to win games, something he is extremely talented at. The players look at Chauncey and immediately give him respect, because, he is one of them. They are rebellious, nomads, and that’s exactly how Chauncey and his teammates want it. As many rappers say today, “The whole cities behind me!” That’s just enough for the Nugs and their most valuable player, Chauncey Billups.
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