duncan228
03-28-2009, 09:35 PM
Baseline Cut: NBA has no award for Birdman's comeback (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Baseline_Cut_NBA_has_no_award_for_Birdmans_comebac k.html)
Mike Monroe - Express-News
If the NBA still had a Comeback Player of the Year Award, Denver's Chris Andersen would be a lock to win it.
The fact Andersen has made a dramatic comeback this season from suspension for substance abuse, though, is a reminder of why the league changed the name of an award initially intended to recognize a player who had overcome adversity, one season to the next. The league never intended to recognize recovery from self-imposed adversity.
Bernard King and Micheal Ray Richardson won the award in 1981 and 1985, respectively, after having been suspended for substance abuse the previous season. Embarrassed, the league changed the award to Most Improved Player.
Since Andersen played only five games last season after the Hornets reclaimed him following his suspension, he probably doesn't qualify for MIP.
That is too bad, because “Birdman” has dramatically improved his game from his last full season, 2004-05. He has been a big factor in Denver's surge to the top of the Northwest Division.
In just under 20 minutes per game, he averages 2.3 blocks, second in the league to Orlando's Dwight Howard (2.99). He also averages 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 points.
The Nuggets got Andersen for the veteran's minimum, $1.1 million, but he will be a free agent this summer, and he anticipates a nice raise.
“I'm pretty sure that's for sure,” is how this free spirit describes his anticipation of a nice pay bump, even in a summer when general managers will have to consult bean counters before committing big dollars in a soft economy.
The Nuggets would love to keep a player who is nearly as popular with their fan base as Carmelo Anthony. Ownership will have to decide if he is worth putting them over a lower luxury tax threshold.
Mike Monroe - Express-News
If the NBA still had a Comeback Player of the Year Award, Denver's Chris Andersen would be a lock to win it.
The fact Andersen has made a dramatic comeback this season from suspension for substance abuse, though, is a reminder of why the league changed the name of an award initially intended to recognize a player who had overcome adversity, one season to the next. The league never intended to recognize recovery from self-imposed adversity.
Bernard King and Micheal Ray Richardson won the award in 1981 and 1985, respectively, after having been suspended for substance abuse the previous season. Embarrassed, the league changed the award to Most Improved Player.
Since Andersen played only five games last season after the Hornets reclaimed him following his suspension, he probably doesn't qualify for MIP.
That is too bad, because “Birdman” has dramatically improved his game from his last full season, 2004-05. He has been a big factor in Denver's surge to the top of the Northwest Division.
In just under 20 minutes per game, he averages 2.3 blocks, second in the league to Orlando's Dwight Howard (2.99). He also averages 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 points.
The Nuggets got Andersen for the veteran's minimum, $1.1 million, but he will be a free agent this summer, and he anticipates a nice raise.
“I'm pretty sure that's for sure,” is how this free spirit describes his anticipation of a nice pay bump, even in a summer when general managers will have to consult bean counters before committing big dollars in a soft economy.
The Nuggets would love to keep a player who is nearly as popular with their fan base as Carmelo Anthony. Ownership will have to decide if he is worth putting them over a lower luxury tax threshold.