Trade Secret

Many sports fans will remember February 21 as the day Carmelo Anthony became a member of the New York Knicks. Of course it was a great trade for the Knicks, but as exciting as the Melo deal was, the acquisition of Chauncey Billups may be the key in the blockbuster trade. Even Lebron James was quoted as saying that he "found it comical that some may have considered Billups to be an ancillary part of the Knicks-Nuggets deal." Maybe the Heat have a Big 3, but now the Knicks have a Big 3 of their own in Anthony, Stoudemire, and Billups.

Amid much consternation, Denver's hometown boy was sent to New York. It was reported that not Melo, but the inclusion of Billups, was the holdup in the trade, mainly because Denver didn't want to give him up, but in the end they did. The Nuggets loss is New York's gain. With an NBA championship ring on his finger, a Finals MVP trophy on his shelf, and having participated in 6 straight Eastern Conference Finals, premier point guard Billups brings a great deal of experience with him.

Billups, who handled the situation with his usual quiet class, IS causing a stir on the basketball court!! In his debut he recorded 21 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and just 2 turnovers in a 114-108 victory over the Bucks.

"Mr. Big Shot" came through once again against the Miami Heat, taking over the game with big 3's and steals. Billups scored 16 points, including a 3 pointer with 1 minute left followed by a steal, which sealed a victory for the Knicks. New York's tenacious defensive attack forced 20 turnovers and held the Heat to 86 points, well below their season average of 102. Regarded as one of the best defenders in the league, Chauncey is already helping the Knicks up their defensive game.

Also promising for Knick fans is the fact that the point guard is a crucial piece in Coach Mike D'Antoni's offense (ever heard of a little point guard named Steve Nash)!! D'Antoni will trust veteran Billups as his floor general, but seeing that he's a 39% career shooter from behind the arc, D'Antoni may also call on him to shoot. It's also important to note that Billups played for Team USA this past summer, and guess who was an assistant coach? None other that Mike D'Antoni!!

Just how crucial Billups is/will be still remains to be fully seen. With all the rumors of a possible CP3 signing in the future who knows, but for now let's face it, Billups knows how to win and he brings that swagger to the Knicks.