Chris Anderson doesn’t have to score a lot of points, or even play a lot of minutes to be a difference-maker for the Denver Nuggets.  “The Birdman” is averaging 22.3 minutes per game, 6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 0.7 blocks this season.  He is great at guarding the rim, and whether he blocks the shot or not the opposition has to adjust the way they attack the basket when he is on the court.  Despite an ailing knee with tendinitis, Anderson has been playing even better lately.  During the Nuggets current three-game winning streak, Anderson is averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks.  A fan favorite in Denver, Anderson not only gives the Nuggets a great shot-blocker, but he also brings a lot of energy and excitement to the team when he comes off the bench.  Hopefully Anderson’s knee tendinitis doesn’t get any worse and he can continue to play through it, because he will be a huge asset for them in the playoffs when defense is needed most.

24-year old shooting guard J.R. Smith is giving the Nuggets a lot of firepower off the bench this season. Smith has played in 51 games (0 starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 27.9 minutes, 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Smith is the third best offensive player on the Nuggets and I really like how they deploy him so that they always have at least two solid offensive players on the court.

Kenyon Martin has been playing some great basketball for the Denver Nuggets this year, particular in the past month.  With the Nuggets’ star player Carmelo Anthony missing a lot of games lately, the Nuggets have needed some players to step up their scoring.  No Nuggets player has stepped it up as much as Kenyon Martin.  In the past month Anthony has missed 10 games, and in those 10 games Martin has averaged 17.7 points and 10.5 rebounds on 55% shooting.  Martin is only averaging 12 points per game this season, so he has really stepped up his game on the offensive end.  The Nuggets have needed the extra scoring with Carmelo out, since he is leading the league in scoring at 29.7 points per game.  Nuggets fans have to be happy with Martin’s play, as he is finally playing up to his huge contract.

When the Nuggets acquired Afflalo from the Pistons no one was expecting him to be a key player for them in 2009-2010. But, Afflalo is a solid player who does the little things that winners do and I think he learned how to put the team first from Chauncey Billups who he played with in both Detroit and Denver. Afflalo has played in 48 games (41 starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assist per game. Afflao is shooting pretty well from everywhere on the court this season hitting 49% from the floor, 45.1% from the three point line and 74.1% from the free throw line. As “The Rock” of pro wrestling used to say, “Know your role” and Afflalo seems to making him a perfect fit with the Nuggets.

Carmelo Anthony may be the star and the number one guy for the Denver Nuggets, but I think it is Chauncey Billups who is the most important player for the Nuggets.  As soon as Billups became a member of the Nuggets last season, they immediately became a much better team.  Billups was the key to all of the success the Detroit Pistons had in recent years, and I don’t know why they ever gave him up.  The Nuggets sure are happy that they did though, because Billups has not only made the Nuggets a better overall team, but he has brought the best out of his teammate Carmelo Anthony.  Billups does have the ability to put a team on his back, which he showed in last night’s 123-118 win over the Golden State Warriors where he dropped 37 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11-19 shooting.  That is not the norm for Billups though, as he usually puts his ego aside and only scores that much when the Nuggets need it.  Billups usually just runs the point, letting Carmelo be the main scorer.  Billups is averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on the season.  Billups’ knack for hitting the big shot is also a huge asset for the Nuggets, especially when the playoffs roll around.