Billups seems at ease with his position

Status in league different than in first Denver stint

By Paul Willis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 6, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.

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Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

Nuggets assistant Chad Iske works with Chauncey Billups at his first practice with the team. "It's good to be coming home in a time where I've established who I've always wanted to be," Billups said.

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This time isn't quite like the last time for Chauncey Billups.

"Same person, different player," the Nuggets' newly acquired point guard said.

The first time, Billups was a 22-year-old playing for his third team in his first two NBA seasons, a player seeking to validate that he belonged as a point guard.

Thursday, when Billups met with the media at the Pepsi Center after passing his physical and partaking in his first practice, the 32-year-old Denver native returned as an NBA champion, a three-time All-Star and one widely regarded among the best at his position - point guard.

He even acquired a nickname along the way that encapsulated his six seasons in Detroit - "Mr. Big Shot."

"When I first came back here, I was the hometown kid coming back," Billups said of his 1999 trade from Toronto. "Now, I'm a man. It's good to be coming home in a time where I've established who I've always wanted to be."

Billups, acquired along with forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb from Detroit for guard Allen Iverson, is aiming to crystallize a talented but unbalanced Nuggets squad that has sought a true point guard since Andre Miller was traded for Iverson two seasons ago.

Known for his smooth demeanor and calming veteran presence, Billups also adds a sense of professionalism many believe that at times, the undisciplined Nuggets sorely have needed.

"We have lacked an orchestrator of the team, a leader of the team, a guy that makes good decisions for the team," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Chauncey has an incredible dignity for the game."

Billups wasted no time getting acclimated, as he was one of the final players to leave the court Thursday.

Karl said Billups undoubtedly will play tonight against Dallas but wouldn't say whether the newcomer would start.

"This team is talented, man," Billups said. "I think I can really have a great effect on all of the young guys. . . . For the past five or six years I've played in a slow-down system. I'm excited to show I can play in any system."

Said Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin: "He's been in big games, made big shots, made big plays for his team. He has a championship ring. That's enough."

Billups said he watched on TV the Nuggets' 111-101 loss at Golden State on Wednesday and indicated he was excited at the explosiveness of the team but believed he could help curtail some of the bad possessions that have become the staple of the Nuggets' undoing in recent seasons.

"There's a thin line when you run and gun," said Billups, who averaged 17 points a game in just more than six seasons in Detroit and is an 88.6 percent free-throw shooter in his career. "You still have to take care of the ball."

Billups will wear No. 7 in his return, an homage to former Broncos quarterback John Elway. Well, and also because his first choices of Nos. 1, 4 and 5 were taken.

"I thought about how John Elway ended his career and the legacy of his career, and it just created a lot of motivation and inspiration," said Billups, whose wife, Piper, brother Rodney and agent, Andy Miller, attended the news conference.

"Hopefully, I'll get lucky and end it the same way."

• November 6, 2008

  3:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jsppro1 writes:

  Boy, after watching Wednesday's game. Start him, now!!!!!!
  McD, stop the Madness and Man up. All players get a second chance. Why can't management get a another chance. Just Play!! while you are at Nuggets, bring Howard back anyway!!!!!!!!

• November 6, 2008

  4:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  wj_nugs writes:

  My suggestion for tomorrow...probably would be a good idea to start Chauncey. I bet we win the game last night with a guy like #7...
  Booooo to McDyess. He was my favorite player back in the day when he was here. Sitting through 20-62 seasons but MyDyess sure was great to watch. Get in here and be a crucial component to our bench!

• November 6, 2008

  11:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rhsalas writes:

  great trade, should really help this team. maybe he can motivate
  these guys to rebound and play defense the entire game? had they
  not quit playing def. against g.s. they would have won!
  Notice to Mac.. the nuggets waited quite a long time for you to
  heal after all the knee surgeries extend them the same curdiousy
  and help us. I watched you play and loved your passion for the
  game. the current owner and management had nothing to do
  with your past history here!

  go denver!!

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