Chauncey Billup's Has Huge Impact For Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets had a very successful season in 08-09 despite losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Not many expected the Denver Nuggets - who were notorious for losing in the first round it seems - to make it to the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets were out manned and out played against the Lakers but that still doesn't take away from the excellent season they had.

The knock on Denver for many years was they can score but refused to play defense - this wasn't the case because Denver was'th is defense. Trading Iverson for Billups, definitely was a key move to fixing this problem.

Coach George Karl and the rest of the team had other plans though. The acquisition of Chauncey Billups proved invaluable to the team. Billups' leadership, efficiency on the court, playoff experience, and his ability to serve as a natural point guard - a position the team had sorely been lacking ever since the departure of Andre Miller a few seasons prior - all gave the team a major boost in places that the Nuggets had been lagging before he joined the team.

Billups is also a great on court leader who knows how to play in big games. In 77 games with Denver Billups averaged 17 points per game, 6 assists and 91% at the free throw line. At 32 years old at the time, Billups seemed to hit the prime of his career.

The Denver Nuggets are in a loaded Western Conference so taking the next step to the NBA Finals will be no easy feet. This potentially could be the MVP season Carmelo Anthony which he hasn't had yet - granted Carmelo is still only 25 but his prime years are fast approaching. This could be the year of Carmelo, he maybe talked about in the same breathe as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant as the games best all around player, not just the best scorer in the league.

The San Antonio Spurs have added Richard Jefferson, the Dallas Mavericks added Shawn Marion, and the Los Angeles Lakers added Ron Artest.

After a hard fought series versus the Lakers, their season was cut short. Still, it was a beautiful run in Denver, one they hope to repeat.

For more Nuggets talk, check out the Denver Nuggest forum at RootZoo Sports, the most exciting sport forums online.