In an effort to gauge how Chris Andersen’s rehabbed knee felt, a television reporter asked him what would happen if he was attacked by a mugger.
But, in typical Birdman fashion, he deadpanned: “I wouldn’t run from him — I’d bust him up.”
After the crack, Andersen revealed the good news: that he will participate in 5-on-5 drills today at practice and didn’t rule out the possibility of playing Monday at Golden State.
If not then, it’s likely Andersen would make his season debut in the next game, Friday at the Pepsi Center against the Bulls.
“My knee is doing really well. I’m excited about coming back,” the reserve center said. “It’s been a long time waiting. I’ve just been optimistic and realistic at the same time. Coach has been real patient. I just want to help the guys with rebounding and the transition part of the game.
“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel — and let’s just say that light’s getting bigger.”
Remember Petro?
Big man Johan Petro looks at the height-deficient Nuggets and knows he could help. But he’s also happy in New Jersey, where the former Nuggets center signed a three-year, $10 million contract this summer.
He said he thought he’d come back to the Nuggets, but the process “was kind of quick. I always wanted to come back, but at the end of the day I had to go where it was best for me. It wasn’t easy for me to choose. But I made the decision I thought was the best one at the time and stuck with that.”
Petro has seen limited playing time with the Nets, averaging just 1.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.
He said he had no idea the Nets had their eye on him.
“I was surprised when my agent called, but it was a good surprise,” Petro said.
A.I. rebuilding career.
Many NBA personnel — and fans too — are curious how former Nugget Allen Iverson will respond to playing internationally in Turkey. Today, one of Iverson’s games will be televised on NBATV at 1:30 p.m. His team is Besiktas Cola Turka, of the Beko Turkish Basketball League, and today’s opponent is Fenerbahce Ulker, is the defending TBL champion. Iverson, an 11-time NBA all-star, scored 15 points in his first game with the team Tuesday in a loss.
