LOS ANGELES — Ten games into the second Chauncey Billups era with the Nuggets shows a different looking team, a different looking Billups and an organization slowly injecting hope into a fan base that was skeptical when the season started.
There is a transition period to get to know new players and a new system, but Billups said that is taking less time than he anticipated.
“I’m feeling really good,” Billups said. “I’m learning a lot about the guys on and off the court. The process has not been as long as I probably thought it would have (taken). I’m not there yet, but it’s going a lot faster than I thought.”
The proof is in the wins.
Before Billups’ arrival, the Nuggets were 1-3, and since then are 8-2. At 9-5 overall, Denver stands atop the Northwest Division.
Billups hasn’t overpowered his new teammates. He’s been the personification of the Nuggets’ ideals so vociferously preached in the preseason. Defense. Professionalism. Discipline. Execution.
On the court, the Nuggets needed a player at the right position to hold them accountable. At the point guard — floor leader — slot, Billups has done that.
“When a guy comes to your team and you become 8-2, everybody around here is confident,” guard Chucky Atkins said. “And what wins championships is confidence, knowing that when you step out there every time you have a chance to win.”
The Nuggets’ play is visibly different with Billups. In the past 10 games, Denver is averaging just 98.8 points per game but holding opponents to 94.5. The Nuggets are forcing more turnovers and have reduced theirs.
One of the most noticeable changes is in the Nuggets’ slower pace. Ideally, they are trying to play as fast as possible for three or three-and-a-half quarters, then slow the pace, dig in and execute in the half-court late in games. Billups’ experience and poise at the point has been essential in Denver becoming one of the better finishers in the league.
In the Sunday’s win against Chicago, for example, the Nuggets went on an 18-2 run to end the game after being down late in the fourth quarter. Late-game execution also netted the Nuggets a 10-0 run and a big-time win Nov. 14 at Boston.
“When the game gets tough, if it’s a close game and it’s five minutes left, I’m not going to get the ball and just be throwing it all over the place,” Billups said. “I’m not going to live and die with that. So we’re going to slow it down, go with a pick-and-roll with me and (Carmelo Anthony) or Melo and somebody else. But we’re going to get a good, quality shot.”
Nuggets coach George Karl has soaked it all in with a smile, and repeatedly has said these Nuggets are a team that is “excited about execution.”
The “new” Nuggets even caught the eye of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who told reporters, “Denver has a good club that can compete with anybody. Chauncey is a great addition.”
Billups’ numbers have spiked with the Nuggets as the team leans on him for production, in addition to the intangibles. His 18.6 points per game with the Nuggets is, by a narrow margin, the highest single-season scoring average of his career.
Still, Billups said his focus is on keeping everything else running smoothly, such as helping Anthony get back on track offensively.
“My thing is that what I’ve always been able to do as point guard is know every single little tendency of all of my players,” Billups said. “I’m not there yet. But I’m learning and learning fast.”
Said Anthony: “Him bringing that mentality, I think it helped us out. So we adjusted to him just as quick as he adjusted to us.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
