4 straight blocks on the mavs last night ..just sick
Baseline Cut: NBA has no award for Birdman's comeback
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.
4 straight blocks on the mavs last night ..just sick
That right there just upped his value three-fold.
I wanted the Rockets to go after him last year.
He's a freakshow, but he's an excellent defender in the pain.t
Last edited by dirk4mvp; 03-28-2009 at 11:27 PM.
Yeah he was a steal. The Nuggets got him for the bargain basement price because nobody wanted to touch him.
I rate him, hes a top player definitely
anyone got video of 4 straight blocks?
They call him Birdman cause he felt so high while doing drugs.
Ironically, if the Hornets had stayed with Birdman, they'd be a contender.
Hornets gave away a big man they really needed.
Love the Birdman.
I was watching that game vs. the Mavs and I am pretty sure it was 3 blocks in a row.
Nice job of the FO allowing Birdman to walk so they could sign Sean Marks. Awesome!
I was having a discussion yesterday about the birdman, and my friend says he was suspended because he was caught dirty with Coke. Is he right? I taught it was roids or something else.
Nene should have the award, if there is one.
Maybe Pho should go after this guy?
It would increase Pho's defense so much they would be ranked #1,2,3,4,5,6,7 in the west with the Lakers clinging onto the 8th spot.
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