Can the Nuggets win it all?

Written by Frankie Torres from http:// on May 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

     On the verge of sweeping the Dallas Mavericks and making the Western Conference Finals the Denver Nuggets are looking like a legitimate NBA title contender. Ever since the early season acquisition of point guard Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets look like a completely different team from the last few seasons when they were centered around Allen Iverson and a young, immature Carmelo Anthony. The trade for Billups rejuvenated a team that was looked on as a mid-level team in the Western Conference. Not only does Billups provide a true point guard contrary to the shoot-first style of Iverson; he is a very capable defender. Known as “Mr. Big Shot” around the NBA, Billups is also one of the premier 3-point shooters in the league. Anthony has also played a huge role as the centerpiece for this Nuggets squad. He’s not only a scorer this year but has taken on the role of leader for this team. Another huge part of Denver’s success thus far has come from a rather unlikely source, 6th man JR Smith. Smith burst onto the scene this year after 4 rather disappointing seasons. This year Smith averaged a career high 15.2 PPG and finished 2nd in the race for the 6th Man of the Year award to Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks. In what seemed as a season where Smith looks like he’s matured not only as a player but as a teammate, Smith has embraced his role as the team’s 6th man and has excelled at the position. Smith has provided a major spark off the bench for Denver all throughout the postseason including two-20 point games. The Nuggets aren’t just winning, they are dominating. Denver has only lost one game by 2 points and their average margin of victory so far in the playoffs has been 17.5 points. They also showed that can win the close game when they beat the Dallas Mavericks on a Carmelo Anthony game winning 3-pointer as time expired on Saturday in Dallas. Both the Lakers and Rockets should be put on notice because as of now the Nuggets look like the team to beat in the Western Conference.

Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets, J.R. Smith, NBA Basketball