Editor’s Note: We have a special treat today as guest writer and up-and-comer, Kateasa Blair writes today’s article on the Denver Nuggets in anticipation of their series versus the Mavs. Hopefully we will see more great work from her in the near future.
“Not one EXPERT had us makin’ the playoffs….” says Carmelo Anthony via his Twitter. After the trade of Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups in November, Denver had moved up to the second seed in the west. However, a mid-season lull had many doubting that the Nuggets would make it to the playoffs, let alone advance to the Semi-finals. In the first two weeks of March, the Nuggets were 3-5 in 8 games, and the winning stint was thought to be just that, a stint. It was even mentioned on the Pistons website that maybe Denver hadn’t benefited more from the trade after many journalists began to believe that Denver would not be a threat in the Western Conference. Denver finished the season at #2, opening at home against the New Orleans Hornets. Anthony and the Nuggets shut critics up defeating the struggling Hornets in 5 games, and advancing to the second round for the first time in 15 years.
In game 1, Chauncey Billups scored 8 3-pointers, one short of the NBA record of 9 (currently held by Ray Allen, amongst others). He had a total of 36 points in the game. Game 2, Billups scored 31 points, 4-6 from 3-point range, and Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points, 2-3 from 3-point range. The Nuggets held Chris Paul to 14 points and no steals (he holds the NBA record for most steals this season), and 5 players scored in double figures. Denver slowed down a bit in game 3, losing by 2 in New Orleans. Anthony had 25 points on Denver’s side, Billups with 16, and Martin with 12. Chris Paul led the Hornets with 32 points and 12 assists. The Nuggets put a stamp on the series with their 58-point win in game 4, tying an NBA Playoff record. The Nuggets shot 56.6% from the field and had 11 turnovers while holding New Orleans a shooting percentage of 31.5% and 27 turnovers. Chris Paul had 4 points in the game. Denver finished the series at home with a 107-86 win over the Hornets. ‘Melo led the Nuggets’ scoring with 34 points, shooting at 51.4%.
The big question is what made this season so different? The Nuggets acquired more than just a game closer when they traded for Billups; they gained a leader. It seems as if he was the last piece to Denver’s puzzle, a puzzle thought to have been fully completed when Allen Iverson joined the team a little more than a season ago. The emergence of a strong team leader, and also having a great (and underrated) coach in George Karl, the Nuggets became a hard team to beat. The Nuggets finished the 08-09 regular season as the West’s second seed, 11 games behind the Lakers. They opened up the second round against Dallas with a 109-95 win, with Nene and Anthony leading in scoring (24 and 23 respectively), and a superb defense in the second half. Can Denver advance the Western Conference Finals? Only time will tell.
