Chris Andersen was at the New Orleans Hornets’ playoff games a year ago too, as relevant as the water boy.
A year later, “Birdman” is the biggest thing at the Pepsi Center, a fan favorite and a fanatical shot blocker, a key to the Nuggets’ bench this postseason.
“When he walks up to the scorers’ table, there’s a spirit that doesn’t happen in the pro game,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “It’s like a college game.”
Birdman played for the Hornets toward the end of last season after he was reinstated into the NBA following his two-year suspension for drug abuse. He seldom played during the Hornets’ two-round playoff run, however.
On Sunday, Hornets coach Byron Scott was complimentary of Andersen — No. 2 in the NBA in blocked shots per game (2.5) — and the coach said: “Hindsight is always 20-20. I think he’s done a heck of a job here. If we had to do it over again, after seeing how he’s playing, of course we would have kept him.”
Asked about proving a point to the Hornets this postseason, Andersen said: “I’m not really worried about it. I don’t have to show anybody anything. It’s all on paper, it’s all on video. All I’m trying to concentrate on is coming off the bench, providing some energy coming out there, having fun.”
A coach on the floor.
Before the game, Karl also talked about his favorite subject: guard Chauncey Billups, with whom he has a pretty cool relationship.
“I think he’s one of the best winners in the NBA. Not spectacular, more probably into understanding the game and figuring it out, as much as a coach. An example I make is, we don’t have a lot of baseline out-of- bounds plays. He came to me today and said, ‘We’ve got to put in another baseline out-of- bounds play.’ And I already had it in my notes. So he thinks with us.”
