“I just thought about how John Elway ended his career, and the legacy that he left on this city,” Billups said. “It just created a lot of motivation and inspiration. I said, ’I’m going to wear that number, and I’m going to try to wear it proud.”’

Martin chatted with Billups before his first practice, telling Billups what he expected out of him — make big shots and play huge in big games.

That’s all.

Then again, it’s nothing that he hasn’t already done.

“My game is not a game that’s speed or jumping, my game is methodical,” Billups said. “It’s being a good shooter, making good decisions.”

Not to mention winning.

That’s why the Nuggets will heed his advice on the floor.

“He has a championship ring,” Martin said, grinning.

Billups is looking forward to pushing the ball up the floor, not running a ball-control offense like he did with the Pistons.

Still, he’ll miss his teammates in Detroit, even wondering why the team was imploded so early in the season.

“When you get a special group of guys like that, you don’t really give up on it that fast,” he said.

Although he’s now in Karl’s high-octane system, Billups won’t get carried away. He still values possessions too much.

That’s why he expressed some concern after catching the Nuggets’ loss to Golden State on Wednesday night.

“A lot of times some of the players lack some self discipline out there, as far as bad shot selection and turning the ball over,” Billups said. “I think it’s really a thin line when you want to run and gun — run, run, run. You’ve still got to try to take care of the ball. You’ve got to get stops.”

That’s exactly what Karl wanted to hear from his new point guard.

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