Who would’ve thunk it that when the Nuggets traded away Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups and Marcus Camby for, well, nothing really, that they would actually improve?
I admit it, when we sent Camby to the Clippers, I called it the “worst trade in Nuggets history.” But having Nene and Kenyon Martin healthy, and Chris Andersen ranked second in the league in blocks (Camby finished fourth), the Nuggs have effectively become better as a whole while saving quite a bit of money.
Most of that credit, however, should go to Billups, who’s shown why he’s one of the league’s best point guards. Beyond his stats on the court (17.9 ppg, 6.4 apg), he’s emerged as the clubhouse’s leader; a voice everyone in the locker room listens to because he commands authority — and has two championship rings to back it up.
Carmelo Anthony has become a more well-rounded player because of it. Not needing to drop 30 every game, he helps by crashing the boards and being a more efficient player all around.
And heading into the playoffs, the team looks to be on a roll, led by J.R. Smith, who’s averaging 25 ppg in the month of April.
While this the Lakers are far and away the best team in the conference, Denver looks like it has the ability to beat any other team in the west. It could be a fun playoff season in Denver — finally.
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