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Entering last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets trailed the Lakers by 4 ½ games in the loss column for the No. 1 playoff position in the Western Conference.
Having provided L.A. with two of their 15 loses, the Nuggets appeared poised to swagger into the Staples Center to take a commanding season series lead, with just one game remaining against the “Champs.” The plot was set for this matchup that has developed into, at least, a semi-rivalry launched last season in the Western Conference Finals. But after watching the Nuggets cough up – did I say choke – an 11-point third quarter lead it appears that the Nuggets may not have all that it takes to win the coveted gold.
To begin with, despite what’s been said, Carmelo Anthony really isn’t an MVP candidate. This was proven when Courtney Kirkland, one of the game’s official, whistled Melo for his sixth foul with 2:13 remaining in the hard fought matchup. Not only was it an absolutely ridiculous call, it was a call that would have never been whistled on Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.
While Kirkland’s phantom call was indeed egregious, nothing beats the nefarious performance down the stretch by Chauncey “Big Shot” Billups, considered one of the game’s headiest point guards.
With 6:12 left in the game Aaron Afflalo converted on a 3 from the right corner. For the next 5 minutes and 22 seconds no Nugget other than Billups attempted a shot. At the 5:30 mark, Billups threw up a shot from the arch with 19 seconds left on the shot clock (fortunately he was fouled by Derek Fisher). On the next possession Mr. Billups throws up a second three, this time with 16 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Billups converted the shot, but that was the second consecutive possession that he attempted a shot without anyone on the team, including Melo, the MVP candidate, touching the rock. Melo, on the ensuing possession was called for an offensive foul. The following possession Billups attempted and converted a shot; 13 seconds remained on the shot clock, again Mr. Point Guard was the sole Nugget to touch the rock on that possession. With 2:53 left and the Nuggets trailing by a 3, Billups with 19 ticks left on the shot clock hoisted an unbelievable terrible 3-point attempt. He was off balance as he attempted the shot and not one teammate was in position to haul down a missed attempt. Needless to say, no one touch the ball but Billups on that possession.
Billups wasn’t finished with his atrocious display of leadership.
With Denver down by just five points and 2:26 remaining, Billups pulled up once again, attempted and missed a shot from the arch – 21 seconds remained on the shot clock. During that 5 minute and 22 second span Denver, under the leadership of Billups, either committed a turnover or launched a questionable shot.
Billups’ performance in and of itself was pitiful, but what made it more shocking were two sideline reports broadcasted during the game. First, in an interview with Billups, he challenged those analysts who anoint Steve Nash, Chris Paul and Deron Williams as the League’s best point guards. Billups argued that it is he who is the “most complete” point guard in the League. He definitely didn’t demonstrate the gamesmanship of a complete point guard on Sunday. When Billups collects his check for that game he should wear a mask because he straight jacked the organization.
In the other report, George Karl during a timeout – about seven minutes left in the game – instructs his team to discontinue forcing up the first shot that they get.
“Run the entire shot clock out if you have to get a good shot; not to take a bad shot and not to turn the damn basketball over,” implores Karl.
Sitting directly in front of Karl was Chauncey Billups with a look of “I got it coach.” Billups may have heard Karl, but he definitely did not understand his instructions.
The Nuggets, right now, have the tools needed to win the championship – a superstar who can flat out get it done, good role players like Afflalo and Birdman Anderson; tough players like Kenyon Martin and Nene, and a proven point guard in Billlups. But if they continue to lose the battle of intelligence, they’ll find that you can’t find gold when there is no mind, and Denver has proven that they are capable of playing mindless.
Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, is reachable at rwilliams@itsflawless.com
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