"Mr. Big Shot" is showing us what true leadership is all about.

• 2 playoff games, 67 points, 12-15 3FG, 19-19 FT, 0 TO

Chauncey Billups (A.K.A. “Mr. Big Shot” or “Smooth”) is at it again.  Playoff time has become ceremoniously known as ”Chauncey Time.” 

The Nuggets got exactly what they wanted when they acquired Billups from the Pistons.  A points guard who can put up the points when needed.  And with Billups, there is never one inkling of an ego – he is that rare talent who always makes the best play for his team.

It’s kind of ironic that he and Allen Iverson were traded for one another.  They seem to represent opposing ends of the spectrum when it comes to how they attack their opponents. 

All the talk at the time of this trade was about how Allen Iverson would give Detroit the “go-to” player that they sore desperately needed.  But what people didn’t realize was that the Pistons didn’t need that type of player.  In trading Chauncey, they had just lost a natural-born leader.  Forget about the PPG – this was the loss of a player who defined a period of success in Detroit all by himself.

What went unmentioned regarding this deal was the fact that Carmelo Anthony had gained a guy who would further his development into a complete player.  “Smooth” came to Denver and elevated the team to over 50 wins and a #2 seed in the Western Conference.  He kept the ball moving, and you began to see SportsCenter featuring non-household names like J.R. Smith, Chris Andersen and Linas Kleiza.

And the most defining characteristic of leadership is knowing when to do things yourself.  And by taking control of Games 1 and 2, the Denver Nuggets have sprinted to an early 2-0 lead in the series.

That’s just further evidence that everything he does is about team.

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