Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag on Wednesdays during the 2008-09 NBA season.
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Mr. Hochman – I know this is being a homer, but can you tell me how much weight each of the following reasons has that Chauncey Billups is not being considered for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player:
* The Nuggets have never won anything in the playoffs.
* The Nuggets play in the anonymous Mountain time zone.
* Billups isn’t “SportsCenter”-flashy. (Is the program officially called “SC” or still “SportsCenter”?)
* The MVP in basketball is actually the “Player of the year” award?
— Joshua Cole, Unincorporated Arapahoe County
Joshua – I like where your head’s at. Chauncey Billups is indeed the MVP of the Nuggets, who are — can you believe it? — second in the mighty Western Conference. You definitely bring up some interesting points. Indeed, the Nuggets aren’t a perennial power (though, the Hornets’ Chris Paul came in second last season in the MVP voting) and, just like there’s the “East Coast bias” in sports such as college basketball and football, it’s true that many fans miss the Nuggets games, because the games just come on too late in Bedford, N.Y., or Dallas, Pa., or wherever on the East Coast. (The exception, of course, is the Lakers, because they’re often showcased in the afternoon games on ABC.)
As for Billups’ game, yeah, it’s more Reno than Vegas. The guy is “smooth,” no doubt, but he doesn’t have that LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Paul pizzazz that is a “SportsCenter” staple. And, finally, you’re right; a lot of people take the V out of MVP and instead make it the MAP (Most Awesome-ist Player) … except for that year that Kobe Bryant was at his awesome-ist, averaging over 30 points a game, and the voters gave the award to the actual most valuable player, Steve Nash.
So let’s break it all down. With all the above understood, Billups is also the most valuable player on his team, and he helped change the culture of a team that was talented, but had a lot of holes. He is a winner who has made his new team just that. And his scoring is up.
But — if the unwritten definition of the MVP award means the most valuable player on the best team, then Billups would have to come in, at least, third in the balloting, because Kobe and LeBron are the respective MVPs of the two top teams in the NBA. And, while our town’s point guard is a stellar player and leader, I think it’s safe to say that he’s not as talented as those two.
Hey, Ben. What keeps the Nuggets from coming out and attacking the other team from the very tipoff and then keeping that energy up as opposed to getting into deep holes before the first quarter is finished? Small things like giving up open
looks or not attacking the boards seem to be an issue early on before they tighten up the D.
— Michael, Littleton
Hey there, Michael. Yeah, there are definitely games where, one could say, the Nuggets are “feeling out the competition” in the first few minutes. And, yes, you bring up a couple key points. Giving up open looks is a debatable topic. If a player like, say, Chauncey Billups has an open look, there’s a good chance he’ll make the shot. But there might be more incentive for him to swing the ball and maybe give Nene a chance to get an early basket or get J.R. Smith his first jumper, which as we often see, could be the igniting of a J.R. hot streak of multiple 3’s. But on the opposite side, it’s frustrating when a player gives up an open look and a turnover occurs just moments later.
As for the rebounding, coach George Karl has made it clear that the Nuggets need to improve the rebounding as they head into the postseason. The Nuggets have been out-rebounded in seven of the past nine games, and while Nene and Kenyon Martin have each missed two games in that stretch, the two games Denver out-rebounded an opponent were both games without one of the posts. Karl is very proud of Nene’s efforts this season, but the Brazilian big man must be ready to rebound at a high level come playoff time, especially because Denver will likely face either Carlos Boozer or Tyson Chandler in the first round and, possibly, Tim Duncan or Yao Ming in the second.
Why did when they hosted the Utah Jazz? Denver Nuggets are blue and white, not green and white. Do they think they are the Boston Celtics? Thanks.
— Steve, Pueblo
Yo, Steve. Don’t worry. You’ve seen the last of the green uniforms (though I thought they were pretty cool). The Nuggets wore the green because last week was the NBA’s Green Week, . Funny enough, coach Karl also pointed out that the green did remind him of the Celtics. But, the Nuggets did win both games they wore the green uniforms (with the cool powder blue trim).
Seeing how well he’s playing in Portland, is there any remorse about losing Steve Blake? I think he would have been a big upgrade over Anthony Carter as a backup to Chauncey Billups, and my recollection is he would have re-signed here for about $4 million per year.
— J.J., Castle Rock
What’s up, J.J.? (Arrington? Redick? Walker?) Coach Karl occasionally brings up Blake in conversation and talks about his passing and improved shooting. It’s true that he would be a nice fit off the bench for Denver. But, for a team that’s trying to stay under the cap, having Carter at about $1 million is a heck of a bargain, considering that, as Karl said, “They’re similar-type players. They’re competitors. They’re not tremendous talents, but I think they do the dirty work of the game.”
Carter’s 4.8 assists are the most in the NBA among players averaging 24 or less minutes a game. His turnovers, at times, can be a problem. But he’s also Denver’s top perimeter defender in clutch situations.
What up, Ben? What are the chances for the Nuggets to make a play for a big man in the offseason, because that seems to be our biggest problem — low post?
— Gabe, Pueblo
Greetings, Gabe. There’s no question the Nuggets have been playing with fire this season with just three true post players, especially because two of them have injury pasts. I clearly remember the sound of Nene’s thud in Milwaukee this season, and the looks on the players’ faces. And when Kenyon first went out with his back injury, we did an in-depth article to break down just what his injury was, if the injury could linger and what would be the repercussions.
As for next season, Nene and Kenyon will likely be back because of their hefty salaries. Coach Karl has made it clear that he loves Chris “The Birdman” Andersen and would like to re-sign the free agent, though Bird is expected to demand more than his roughly $1 million salary from this season. Of course, it’s early in the free-agent sifting progress — heck, it’s not even playoff time yet — so it’s too early to know exactly which restricted free agents will re-sign with their squads and such. There are some moderately affordable big men that should be available, be it Brandon Bass or Jeff Foster or Zaza Pachulia or Drew Gooden, but the Nuggets are going to have to be very careful with their money, because the main payroll is expected to be heftier next season.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. , or .
