Nuggets' coach George Karl doesn't just believe that point guard Chauncey Billups is the team's leader, he could be their Barack Obama.

"The Nuggets' Barack Obama? That's a good one," Karl said. "I don't know Obama well, but I hope Obama has (those qualities). I'm a big change guy. And when you make change, it's about substance. What I'm excited about is ? I know Chauncey has substance. I believe Obama has substance.

"If Chauncey walked into a room of executives, talking about the bailout, he would have a presence."