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Remembering Chauncey Billups: A Denver Legend

By Mathew Huff

Oct 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Former NBA player Chauncey Billups watches from the sidelines during the second half against the Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Former NBA player Chauncey Billups watches from the sidelines during the second half against the Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; NBA former player Chauncey Billups smiles on the sideline before the game between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; NBA former player Chauncey Billups smiles on the sideline before the game between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Chauncey Billups was truly a great part of the Denver Nuggets franchise.

Chauncey Billups was a true Denver Nugget. The man who grew up in Colorado, went to Boulder, and idolized the great John Elway growing up truly did deserve better than he got from the organization.

The one flaw with the infamous Carmelo Anthony trade that I have always stated was that Denver got rid of Mr. Big Shot himself.

With the way the Ty Lawson project failed, it is clear that the Nuggets should have held on to Billups and let him finish his career in his home state.

The man loved the Mile High and it was a shame to see the Nuggets let go of a future hall of famer who still had some gas left in the tank.

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Denver Nuggets

Billups was a key instrument in his second stint in Denver as he helped lead the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2009.

Billups was a key contributor in the playoffs that year, as we cannot forget him dropping 31 points over then New Orleans Hornets superstar Chris Paul to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

The guy was also a tremendous help in the growth of Carmelo Anthony as he was the perfect quote on quote “quarterback,” to complement Melo’s skill set.

His immense leadership abilities propelled the entire Nuggets team to take the next step and come inches away from the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately, Denver ran into a Lakers team with a Kobe Bryant in his prime, but that doesn’t take away from Billups’ greatness. In his entire 5 seasons with the Nuggets, Billups averaged an efficient 16.9 points per game to go along with 5.3 assists per game. On top of that, his effective field goal percentage was also 49.9% during his 5 seasons played with the Nuggets.

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It is just a shame that he didn’t get to fulfill his dream of retiring as a Denver Nugget as he was one of the most dedicated and loyal players throughout the entire history of the Nuggets organization.

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