Nuggets bring Andersen, Jones into fold
Denver needs to sign three to reach roster minimum
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 24, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.
On the exterior, Chris Andersen has not changed.
Still keeps his hair long and looks like he should be a roadie for Kid Rock.
Still remains inked to the hilt, with tattoos covering both arms.
Still speaks with a slight southern twang while describing himself as a country boy.
On the interior, Andersen has committed himself to change.
After sitting out two years for violating the NBA's substance-abuse policy, Andersen says he is clean, sober and ready to prove himself all over again with the Nuggets.
"That's behind me," Andersen said Thursday after a workout at the Forza Fitness Club downtown. "I made an immediate change from the get-go. It's a lot of hard work and a lot of effort, a lot of time just to get back where I'm at. There's not a chance in hell I'm going to try to mess that up again. It's all about just finishing my career solid and on a good note."
Seeking an athletic big man to add depth in the frontcourt, the Nuggets on Thursday signed the 6-foot-10 Andersen to a one-year, guaranteed contract for the NBA minimum $998,389.
"We're excited about having him," vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said. "It's obvious at this point that we needed a big (man). We hope that he brings his energy and rebounding and shot blocking."
The Nuggets, who traded center Marcus Camby on July 15, also addressed their backcourt as swingman Dahntay Jones agreed to a one-year, guaranteed deal for the NBA minimum $926,678.
The additions leave the Nuggets with 10 guaranteed contracts and a salary-cap number of about $71.1 million, slightly less than the luxury tax threshold of $71.15 million. They need to sign three players to reach the NBA roster minimum of 13.
Luxury taxes and salary-cap numbers mean little to Andersen, who is just happy to be drawing a paycheck after falling from grace when the NBA banned him Jan. 27, 2006. He was playing for the New Orleans Hornets and moved back to Colorado while trying to get his life back in order.
"I've kept to it for the last 21/2 years," he said. "I stayed in condition. I stayed doing what I was supposed to be doing.
"Everybody sees how I've changed my ways. They know what I'm about now."
Monday through Friday, Andersen climbs into his black Ford F-450 and makes the 35-mile drive from Larkspur to Denver to work out at Forza, which is owned by Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess.
"I've got high expectations for myself and I've got a lot of things to prove this year," Andersen said. "There's no time off or plays off for me."
At 30, he no longer is a young prospect who earned the nickname "Birdman" for his high- flying style. He said he has worked to improve his low-post game, outside shot and basketball IQ.
His hunger to play again? Off the charts.
"It was hard to watch (NBA games) on TV because I knew I was supposed to be out there," he said. "I was sweating profusely and my palms were itchy."
With Camby in Los Angeles and free-agent forward Eduardo Najera in New Jersey, the Nuggets need someone willing to crash the boards, run the floor and hustle every second he's on the court.
Andersen, who played a total of 34 minutes in five games after his reinstatement March 4, shrugs off concerns about trying to make an impact after a long absence.
"On paper, I'm older, but physically, I'm younger," he said. "That wear and tear of the last two years isn't on my body. I don't have those ailments."
Youth also remains on the side of Jones, a 27-year-old who was the 20th pick of the 2003 draft.
Jones averaged a team-leading 18.4 points in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas and likely will step into the role occupied by Yakhouba Diawara, another free agent who got sporadic playing time his two seasons in Denver.
"I'm very excited," Jones said. "It's an opportunity for me and an opportunity for us as a team to do some good things. I think I can bring a defensive presence there. I can slash and make the open shots."
In five seasons, Jones has played for Memphis and Sacramento, averaging 4.9 points on 44.1 percent shooting.
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July 24, 2008
8:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
kodijack writes:
This does not bode well at all. These are not good pickups at all. I am happy that "Birdman" got his life together but these are not replacements for Camby. The best thing to happen would be for Kiki to come get his albatross, Kenyon Martin, and take him back to Jersey. Two things would happen, the Nuggets would have cap room...and our streets would be safe from jackasses driving 100 mph in 40 mph zones.
July 24, 2008
11:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
rhsalas writes:
Good move all things considered, lets see what other moves
this team does in the near future. Replacing Camby was the
easy part, Eddie however will be more difficult. Still need
a guard, should have kept A.Miller!!
r.salas
July 25, 2008
1:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
xzacgenius writes:
Hey is it possible to get Hinrich and Okafor (possibly butchered his name)? I keep reading blogs and posts about Okafor possibly being a target for the Nugs. Has anyone officially heard or seen some the Nugs reps talking about this possibility? If so, SWEET. The Nugs should be fine with these role players. I think Camby was a decent player, but I'm glad that ugly a$$ jumper is gone. Look on the bright side, no more open offensive boards & dunks by the opponents while our center is attempting to pad his stats with another blocked shot. If you don't agree just review Game 1 of the Lakers series and check out a beneficial recipients named Gasol and Odom or something like that. Go Nugs
July 25, 2008
1:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Slader writes:
I think the Nuggs view Anderson more as a replacement for Najera than for Camby. Nene will start at center, backed by Hunter and Anderson. Birdman will also get some minutes behind Martin at the 4, and against some teams Melo could even play some PF after his Olympic experience at that spot. With LK to back up the 3, I don't see this as a weak forecourt, IF Nene stays healthy.
The issues will continues to be team defense and ball movement, and moving Iverson may be the key to both. JR and Melo are still young enough to improve on these points, but AI is not. At least Dahntay Jones is a decent defender without being a washout on offense. All in all, two pretty good moves.
July 25, 2008
5:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
warrengfunk7 writes:
Yakuba Diawara = Defense, low salary, knows the system, vastly improved 3-point shooter.
July 25, 2008
8:05 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Go Blazers!
July 25, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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not2serious writes:
I'm excited too Mark, real excited.
July 25, 2008
9:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
anthony1979 writes:
warrengfnk7...are you serious?? the guy had open looks for the past 2 seasons and is worse than ME shooting the three...time to hang it up Yakuba...
July 25, 2008
11:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
bigbadthor writes:
Yeah was he getting itchy palms and sweating because he was going through detoc or not playing in the NBA, sorry I really don't buy this act..."his body is younger", like snorting coke is the fountain of youth. It amazes me that if a white dude is a crack head everyone will bend over backwords and say "he's getting his life together, he just made a mistake", but if a black guy is a crack head, then he should be in prison. Nuggets get rid of a good person in Camby and replace him with this clown, any Nuggets fans that are applauding this should be ashamed of themselves.
July 25, 2008
2:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
nugs4life writes:
"Birdman" is the replacement for Najera, only younger and faster. He hussles, plays tough defense and oh yeah rebounds. With Najera, there was a problem of defensive match-up at times and was breaking down physically. NOW w/o Camby, Nugs are REQUIRED to play tougher individual defense. No more Camby to clean up one's mistake. Needing a point guard is a must, BUT who is willing to give Nuggets a point guard? Only way is to ship AI, BUT who is going to take him? Dallas? Phoenix? Lakers? They all are in the West. You don't want to do that. Also, AI wants to be on a contender. So only few options in the East. Detroit? Boston? Cleveland? Washington?
July 25, 2008
4:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
bigbadthor writes:
Why didn't they sign Elton Brown from the Summer league that guy was a monster, he is a young guy, has worked and will hustle, and rebound great.
July 26, 2008
6:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Slader writes:
If you thought the Camby trade was a salary dump, just wait for the Nuggs to jettison AI ! They might just have him play out the season and let him walk, because as nugs4life notes, it will not be easy to trade him.
I agree they should sign Elton Brown, I think he is a legit, solid reserve. Brown 11, Bobby Jones 12 and Sonny Weems 13. I also think they could get Javaris Crittendon off Memphis for chump change - it would be worth seeing if he develops into part of the new core post-Iverson: Nene, Melo, LK and JR.
Careful about JR, Warkentein: he is the perfect candidate for a European offer. Remember Childress and the weak dollar.
July 27, 2008
3:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
StardomBaLLa24 writes:
R u kiddin me! this team is taking a turn 4 da worst. y let camby go. hes a good player and citizen, n sign these worthless players that havnt done $$$$ in their careers n will nvr accomplish anything. Y not trade iverson, kenyon, or nene. iverson gets paid more then camby n he is also ageing. nene n kenyon nvr play. they hav talent, but get payed to fly around with the team and watch games. im not lovin smith either but he is young n could be good if he knew when 2 shoot n when 2 pass. this franchise is goin nowhere right now n i dont see them going anywhere until new management. I hope 4 da best though.
July 27, 2008
4:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
jordanera writes:
Stardom - Hang up the keyboard and wait until you're experienced enough to know what you're talking about.
As for the Nuggets, I am not writing them off like some, we still have pretty much one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. In losing Camby, we lost some good things and some bad things. I agree that he allowed his team mates to become lazy on defense because of how good a help defender he was. I also think Carmelo has no choice but to improve his defensive (li)abilities this season in an effort to lead by example. Birdman is a good player to throw in the mix (potentially), for defensive/hustle purposes, especially now that Eddie is gone. Jones also has defense in his reprertoire. Did we get more marquee players? No. Do we need them? No, we need role players and team defenders. So far, I don't think any of their moves have been bad, per se, but none of them are guaranteed to make us better. The coaching staff is going to have their work cut out for them at this point. Real fans of this team will probably be happy to see some changes starting and the fairweather fans will be pissed that we didn't try to pick up more all stars. Such is life.