Iverson, Billups try to build on first impressions

Nov 9, 2008 - 6:30 AM By Chris Bellamy PA SporsTicker Staff Writer

Speculation was forced to give way to reality Friday night as Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups took the floor for their new teams.

And while one night is no barometer, what did come across loud and clear was exactly what each team was trying to accomplish - at least in the short term - when they swapped the faces of their respective franchises.

Iverson delivered 24 points and six assists in his debut with the Detroit Pistons, who lost their first game of the season, 103-96, to the New Jersey Nets despite the presence of their new weapon. The Pistons' defense - their calling card over the last several years - broke down in the second half and not even Iverson's efficient performance was enough to bring them back.

Billups, meanwhile, struggled from the floor in his first game back with the Denver Nuggets but led his hometown club to a 108-105 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks.

"The altitude had me winded," Billups said. "I had some good looks, I just didn't knock them down. I hadn't played since last Friday, so I just have to get my rhythm. ... I don't care how great I play. I just want to win."

Regardless of the results, each player made a significant impression in their new surroundings. It may not have been major surgery, but rather a nip and a tuck that both clubs felt was necessary to overcome the stunted growth of the last few years.

For the Nuggets, it seems they have come full circle from a philosophical standpoint. When they first acquired Iverson, they gave up a conservative, pass-first point guard to get him - Andre Miller, who was averaging 9.1 assists with Denver in 2006 before getting dealt.

But once the luster wore off the much-anticipated Iverson-Carmelo Anthony pairing following consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Nuggets went back to the old plan, hoping that Billups' championship experience and Anthony's growth as a scorer are enough to get it done this time.

Since acquiring Iverson, they've gone through several options to find a more "true" point guard to pair him with in the backcourt, but the likes of Steve Blake, Anthony Carter and Chucky Atkins were never the answer. No pun intended.

"We have lacked an orchestrator of the team, a leader of the team, a guy that makes good decisions for the team," Nuggets coach George Karl told the Rocky Mountain News.

The biggest difference seems to be Billups' ability to run a clean, efficient offense without relying too much on getting his own shots. However, he said he will try to fit in with the Nuggets' up-tempo system, rather than the other way around.

"For the past five or six years, I've played in a slow-down system," he said. "I'm excited to show I can play in any system."

Iverson, on the other hand, said his teammates have insisted that he just play his own game - establishing the pace of the game himself - rather than merely trying to mimic the Pistons of the last six years.

"Coach (Michael Curry), Joe Dumars, and some of my teammates told me when I got here not to worry about fitting in, and just to play my game," Iverson said after Friday's game. "That is the only way I'm going to be able to help this team, playing my game. That's what I did and I'm satisfied with it."

Despite the loss, the difference for the Pistons is fairly pronounced - at least at first glance. Never have they had a player who can attack the basket with such speed and regularity. In his first game with the Pistons, Iverson did just that, getting to the line 13 times.

When it worked, the effectiveness was palpable - his dribble-penetration forced the Nets' defense to collapse inside and left the likes of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince wide open along the perimeter.

"Obviously you saw the lack of chemistry out there; we haven't had the opportunity to have practice with Allen yet," Prince said. "But as the season goes on, that chemistry will be there. ... We just want him to play his game."

Iverson's teams routinely finish near the top of the league in free-throw attempts, with the Nuggets leading the league at 30.7 per game last season. The Pistons, on the other hand, haven't finished any higher than 23rd over the last three campaigns.

Individually, Iverson has finished in the top four in the category 10 years running, averaging no less than 8.9 and as many as 11.5 foul shots per contest. At least in the immediate future, that may be his biggest contribution to this team.

"I thought he did what he wanted," Curry said after Friday's loss. "He got us into the bonus, so we won the battle of the free-throw line."

While Iverson will start at point guard in Detroit, he shifts over to shooting guard when backup Rodney Stuckey takes the floor. The second-year player had nine points and six assists on Friday. Billups' departure opens the door for a long future in Detroit - but as for right now, Friday's game made it clear that Iverson is the new catalyst in the Pistons' offense.

"It was a good feeling for me, I haven't played in a while," Iverson said. "It was good to get some of the rust off and I felt good about our efforts overall. Even though we let it go a little bit in the second half, it was a good experience for me."