The Starting Five

Chauncey Billups is one of the best players to speak with in this business. He’s straight up, contrite, loyal and professional. His game speaks to the same words. The trade from Detroit gave the University of Colorado product a new vigor of basketball soul. I’m sure he feels for his former Detroit brethren…he wouldn’t be him if this were not true…but playing in his hometown is what every athlete wants and desires.

Yes Chris Paul is most likely the best point guard in the NBA and arguably Deron Williams falls closely behind New Orleans’ centerpiece, but to say Chauncey Billups is washed up like many have before the playoffs began is straight stupid. Yeah I said it…stupid.

54-28 isn’t pretty far off where the Nuggets have finished the last couple of seasons, but what Billups gives his team is a sense of urgent toughness. Mr. Big Shot loves to hit the bomb before the tick tock ya don’t stop. He’s done this so many times over his illustrious career, it’s second nature for opposition fans and players to expect him to come though in the clutch. If you were to name players in any sport who were considered money, his name would definitely be mentioned.

Allen Iverson just wasn’t a good fit in Denver. Carmelo wasn’t challenged and was poised to become George Gervin instead of Kobe’s Doc…not that that is a bad thing of course…but he’s been a superstar all his life right? Why stop now?

Anthony in this series, has no peer watching the ball in his hands in front of him on defense. He should average upwards of 25-30 points the entire series. Josh Howard will try, but…no dice.

The Bird Man…Kris Andersen has been incredible on the defensive end and has charged the Nuggets fan base with his mad eccentric ways and block party mentality. Dude has been through it and it’s good to see him back in effect.

Nene has also been through it. His return from cancer also gives him a sense of new understanding and professionalism.

Kenyon Martin has become the enforcer he once was coming out of Cincinnati. When he mugged Dirk down the other night in Game 1, bouncers everywhere rejoiced. Sometimes ya just gotta send a message.

Dahntay Jones is that do everything shooting guard a lot of teams are employing these days…see Courtney Lee, Willie Green. His job is to stop whoever is in front of him on defense and make way for J.R. Smith’s athletic and fire starting play.

Dallas will have to depend on Dirk Nowitzki to return to his MVP caliber ways to pull this out. Some 40 and 15 games might have to go down or Dallas and Flip will be wearing those ugly ass Hawaiian shirts sooner than you think.

Josh Howard is 1a in terms of talent and ability. The Mavs then go hard with Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry, Jason Kidd at shooting guard, Erick Dampier and Jose Juan Barea at the point.

This team isn’t as athletic as in teams past and borderline healthy. Jason Kidd and Barea are gonna get murdered by Billups.

It seems everyone on the Nuggets is playing with a chip on their shoulder…down to the coach. The perfect storm is touching down out of Denver.

Lakers/Rockets/Magic/Cavs?

Watch out, because Denver can beat any of you if they play their game…and could do so in convincing fashion.

Do not be surprised if Denver shocks the world and hoists the gold trophy when it’s all said and done.

It all starts with that former playoff MVP, D Rock City #1.

Flip has to be having nightmares every single night.

I know you miss him Dream, but he’s about to get those funky dividends.

Denver in 5.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 11:20 pm and is filed under Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.