The Denver Nuggets had a very successful season in 08-09 despite losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Denver finished the regular season first in the Northwest division with a record of 54-28. Denver was an excellent home team, 33-8, but an average road team at just 21-20. Denver was one of the top 6 teams in scoring average with 104 points per game. Denver’s problem for many years was that they can score but refused to play defense; this was not the case because Denver was ranked 18th in defense.

The addition of point guard Chauncey Billups essentially changed his season for the better once he came to town. Billups brought a defensive mindset from the Detroit Pistons, one of the best defensive teams of the decade. Billups is also a great leader on the floor who knows how to play in the big games. In 77 games with Denver Billups he averaged 17 points per game, 6 assists and 91% from the free throw line. Aged 32 at the time, Billups seemed to be in the prime of his career.

Carmelo Anthony also came up as a defensive play thanks to Billups. Anthony could possibly be the best pure scorer in the entire NBA, that includes Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Everyone knew that ‘Melo could score, but his improvement in defense of him was more impressive.

One who provided a lot of “entertainment” for the Denver Nuggets was Chris “The Birdman” Andersen off the bench. Birdman has become one of the best shot blockers averaging almost 3 blocks per game. Look for him to have another great defensive season. The Denver Nuggets have potential for the NBA Finals. But if they hope to get there, it looks like they’ll have to go through the Lakers one more time, Denver should improve as a team overall at 09-10.