23-year old Ty Lawson has moved into the starting lineup ahead of the newly acquired Raymond Felton. He has played in 3 games since the trade, and he is averaging 32.3 minutes, 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. To keep the starting gig, Lawson is going to have to get a tad more consistent. He has played in 57 games (8 starts) so far this year for the Nuggets and he is averaging 24.2 minutes, 10.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Raymond Felton is going to be breathing down Lawson’s back the rest of this year.

33-year old Kenyon Martin just doesn’t seem right. He started the year late due to injury and it looks like the injuries that Martin has had lately have sapped the juice out of his legs. Martin played in 12 games in January in which he averaged 22.3 minutes, 5.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He has now played in 16 games (all starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 21.3 minutes, 5.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The most troubling thing about Martin’s play this year is that he is only 5 of 15 from the free throw line (33.3%) as he is shying away from being aggressive around the basket which is usually his strength. I think his knees are still bothering him.

34-year old point guard Chauncey Billups has really got himself into a funk as rumors continue to swirl about his future. In his last three games, Billups is averaging 33.0 minutes, 12.0 points, 1.0 rebound, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game on 31% shooting from the floor! Billups has now played in 31 games (all starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 33.3 minutes, 16.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is still shooting 41.3% from three point range so far this year, so he still has it. Billups doesn’t want traded as he wants to retire from the Nuggets and work in their front office. He likely won’t get his wish as I see him being dealt soon.

The Denver Nuggets want to deal 25-year old shooting guard J.R. Smith but it won’t happen if he continues to bend the rim with his jump shot. In his first five games in January, Smith is averaging 24.0 minutes, 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He is only shooting 34.1% from the floor and 26.7% from three point range in January. Smith has now played in 34 games (5 starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 24.7 minutes, 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He is only shooting 38.7% from the floor and 35.8% from three point range so far this year. The Nuggets hope that J.R. Smith gets back into gear so that they can deal him.

Veteran starting point guard Chauncey Billups has at least one torn ligament and maybe two in his right wrist.  This is going to cause him to miss some time while he heals.  Billups has played in 21 games (all starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 32.6 minutes, 14.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Billups is only shooting 35.1% from the floor and now everyone knows why.  23-year old Ty Lawson will replace Billups in the starting lineup.  He has played in 24 games (3 starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 24.1 minutes, 10.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.  Lawson is more than capable of holding down the fort until Billups is ready to return to action.