Chauncey Billups sauntered to the scorer's table with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and shouted instructions - and no doubt encouragement - to the players who were on the court.
It just another small detail in Mr. Big Shot's leadership drive. There is almost never a stone left unturned. But for Billups so far in this series, the small things have been his biggest contribution. Scoring has eluded the all-star guard, but he has made up for it in assists, steals, and keeping the Nuggets' offense on schedule.
"Chauncey didn't have a good offensive game from the standpoint of scoring points, but you don't understand how good he is running the team; you don't understand how good he is cerebrally making sure things are going the right way," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Our interaction during the game ? He's the head coach a lot."
Tuesday, in the Nuggets 117-105 win over the Mavericks in Game 2 of this Western Conference semifinal, Billups picked up the scoring a bit with 18 points, but hit just 5-of-12 from the field. In Game 1, Billups made only 2-of-8 shots en route to six points.
All of it is a far cry from the gaudy numbers he put up in the first round against New Orleans, when he averaged 22.6 points, 7.4 assists and four rebounds per game. He started that series with 36 points.
Karl has talked about Billups having an impact on the game in other ways than scoring, and it is playing out. Billups is averaging seven assists through the first two games.
When he was removed from the game with 1:33 left, he left to a standing ovation and another victory.
Billups did hit timely 3-pointers in the second half, when he scored 14 of his 18 points. He missed all five of his shots in the first half.
But he caused general havoc all game long, adding three steals to the mix. He also helped keep the Nuggets mistakes down to a minimum by committing just two turnovers.
In the locker room, Billups' leadership has been a key to the Nuggets' success. He and Karl collaborate on what they think will work for the Nuggets going into each game. Billups has helped Karl get their game plans executed while still challenging the coach to put the players in the best positions possible.
"He overrides me a lot," Karl said. "But in the same sense, we whisper to each other a great deal during the game, during timeouts."
Said Billups: "George trusts me out there. I think it's important for the point guard and the head coach to have that kind of relationship."
As long as the Nuggets are executing and winning games, points and field-goal percentage will be the least of Billups' and his team's worries.
"Chauncey doesn't have to score points for him to have a great game," Karl said. "He had a great game tonight."
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
