DENVER, Colorado — One by one, the kids at Parker Fieldhouse strode to the table where a Chauncey Billups autograph awaited them on Wednesday. Close examination revealed that Billups' beard isn't the only new thing about the Nuggets leader.

Billups signed some of the autographs "Chauncey Billups #1" — the new number on his Nuggets jersey next season. The superstar guard is letting go of No. 7, which was good to him last season in his return to Denver.

Billups chose No. 7 as a tribute to former Broncos quarterback John Elway, a man he idolized growing up in Denver. Elway introduced Billups to the Pepsi Center crowd on May 3, prior to a Nuggets-Mavericks playoff game.

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