When Carmelo Anthony was out, Chauncey Billups put up Carmelo Anthony numbers.
So it was fitting that Billups was considered among the NBA’s elite for a week.
Billups was named the player of the week for the Western Conference after averaging 25.3 points in a week when the Nuggets went 3-0.
“Statistically he was off the charts,” coach George Karl said of the veteran point guard. “I think anytime you get that award, it makes you feel good. So hopefully Chauncey will feel energized by it.”
Billups had been struggling with his shot and battling through wrist pain. He always said he wasn’t worried, and it seemed he wasn’t.
Billups shot 63.9 percent from the field. He was 11-of-13 from 3-point range and averaged 6.3 assists. Oh, and entering Monday, he had made 46 of his last 47 free throws.
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who averaged 36.7 points last week, won the Eastern Conference award.
Harrington update.
For the fourth consecutive game, forward Al Harrington didn’t play to rest his dislocated right thumb. He is a possibility for the Nuggets’ next game, Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Harrington is averaging 12.1 points.
Winning losers.
The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks won their division Sunday despite having a losing record. Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman said Monday that an NBA team shouldn’t deserve a top-four seed if it wins its division with a losing record.
“I think if you keep changing rules for exceptions,” Karl said, “you’re going to continue to drive everybody crazy. It doesn’t look right but next year, it will be gone. I don’t think anyone’s worried about Seattle winning the championship. It’s the first time in 60 years. Do we have to make rules for something that’s one time in 60 years? Sometimes, we just have to live with the rules that we have.”
They said it.
“Sam Cassell always had a good quote: ‘If you shoot it, you can’t turn it over.’ Maybe I should tell that to Chauncey and Car- melo.” — Karl
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
