Mr. Big Shot

Chauncey Billups is a dog, man. He hit 9 of 13 three pointers on his way to 39 points as the Nuggets trumped the Lakers 126-113 last night. I think Chauncey is one guy who Phil Jackson does not want to see again in the playoffs. Chauncey learned from the best, Larry Brown. The 2004 NBA Champion Pistons beat arguably the most stacked Lakers team, with Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone. No one gave the Pistons a chance, yet Larry Brown got the best out of Chauncey and Rasheed Wallace. That series was where he earned his nickname, Mr. Big Shot, as he won the Finals MVP. I'd love to see another Lakers-Nuggets Western Conference finals. It would be an old rematch of sorts for Kenyon Martin too; he was on the Nets team that lost to the Lakers in 2002. I'm interested to see if George Karl could get them to the finals. I mean he couldn't do it last year, but I think Chauncey is figuring out how to lead this team better. A lot of people have been saying that the Nuggets are the team with the best chance to beat the Lakers. I'm not so sure about that though because of the beast in the east, Lebron James--You got to know I'm a say that.

The Nugget Ceiling

Kenyon Martin on the Denver Nuggets has always seemed unexciting to me, even as a long time Cincinnati Bearcats fan. But this year, and last year too, I think Kenyon is finally getting over the injuries that plagued him after he left New Jersey (and hopefully getting over not having the 3-4 easy dunks Jason Kidd got him every game).

Just hearing Kenyon talk defense on hoopshype.com got me excited about the possibilities for this years playoffs: "Could you talk about the defensive mindset that you bring to Denver? Kenyon Martin: Everybody can’t score in the league and you have to be able to do something different. I have always been known as a defensive player, paying attention to detail mostly, helping with the game plan, how we should play pick and rolls or post up. I always tend to draw the assignment of the tough post player. I just try to do all I can to make sure we are successful."

I can almost hear the ghost of Bob Huggins at the Shoe in his voice. And really, with their front line of Martin, Nenê, and the Birdman, I think they can be a damn good defensive team if they strive for it. Especially when you consider Chauncey Billups skills in game management, learned in Detroit from the best in the business, Larry Brown. I mean, the Lakers are great now, it would be extremely tough for the Nuggets to make the NBA finals, but the 2004 Pistons led by Billups beat a Lakers team with arguably more talent than this Lakers team (though certainly not the chemistry of this year). Kenyon thinks they have a chance, check his answer to the question on hoopshype.com: "Can the Nuggets earn a berth in the NBA Finals without making any deals? Kenyon Martin: I think so. We have a great team in place. As long as we get better each and every game we play and every month we play and learn from our mistakes… As long as we get the team to focus in on the defensive end because we can score with anybody in the league… If we lock in on defense, the sky is the limit for us."