'Birdman' likes coop with Nuggets
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 10, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.
Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press
The Nuggets' Nene pulls down a rebound in front of Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson during the first quarter of Denver's 118-95 win against Minnesota.
Drew on the NBA
Scores and statistics
This bird once flew south. But now he's back.
Chris "Birdman" Andersen, who left Denver in 2004 for New Orleans and later served a two-year NBA drug suspension, returned to the Pepsi Center on Friday night wearing a Nuggets uniform.
It was a nest he found most comfortable.
"It was real special," the forward said after scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in his team's 118-95 win against Minnesota before 9,535 in the preseason opener. "(The fans) were chanting 'Birdman.' "
The showing of Andersen, who blocked two shots and shot 5-for-7 in 18 minutes, helped make up for absence of Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, out because of a hand injury. Anthony isn't expected to play in an outdoor game against Phoenix tonight in Indian Wells, Calif., and definitely out is guard Allen Iverson, whose sore left knee swelled up in the third quarter.
"I think Chris has been talking about playing this game for about two months," Nuggets coach George Karl said of Andersen. "When I first talked to him (last summer), he was anxious. He'd been sitting out for two years and he wants to re-create his career."
One way Andersen is doing it is as a three-point shooter. Andersen, 0-for-9 overall in the regular season, made the first three-pointer of his career in any game in the second half.
"I've been working hard the last couple of years during my suspension time . . . on my outside shot," Andersen said. "Hard work pays off when the coach has confidence in you. It was the first (three-pointer), but it won't be the last."
The Nuggets got a game- high 21 points from guard J.R. Smith, although he shot only 6-for-16. Most impressive was Denver's defense, which Karl has been emphasizing in training camp, and the play of several big men.
In the first game after the departures of Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera, Kenyon Martin (13 points and five rebounds), Nene (10 points and seven rebounds) and Renaldo Balkman (eight points and four steals) all looked good in addition to Andersen.
Ailing
Iverson really wanted to play tonight. But, while team officials called his knee fine, he didn't make the trip because it was thought the flight would lead to additional swelling.
"I need to (look at) the bigger picture," Iverson said. "I can't start off the season struggling with an injury."
Iverson fell on his knee in practice Oct. 3. He missed three days of practice this week, and had the knee drained. But he said he returned too soon.
"It just swelled up," said Iverson, who had only five points in 23 minutes. "I should have waited a few more days. I was anxious to get back and try to play in the first preseason game."
Anthony also would love to play tonight. But while he made the trip, he doesn't expect to play.
Anthony suffered a contusion on the fourth finger on his left hand in practice Thursday when a teammate slapped the ball out of his hand. X-rays were negative.
"I just want to get one more practice under (my) belt," said Anthony, worried somebody "could slap it and set me back a few weeks."
Anthony expects to return Wednesday against Utah.
Balkman's big October
The Nuggets can't waste time this preseason evaluating Balkman. He sure isn't wasting any time.
The Nuggets must decide by Oct. 31 whether to pick up its $2.11 million contract option next season on the forward, who was acquired in July from New York. If the option isn't picked up, Balkman will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
"I'm going to work my butt off so they can pick it up," Balkman said.
Balkman sure did Friday. In 8 minutes, he shot 4-for-4 for eight points and had four steals and three rebounds.
Karl said Balkman will play tonight. But he said Balkman's "ankle is hurting him" from a recent injury and he'll soon need some time off.
Etc.
* If there's a wind during the outdoor game, Karl knows where he might turn.
"Probably somebody who shoots it flat," he said. "Probably (Linas Kleiza)."
* Nuggets forward Nick Fazekas, a 2003 Ralston Valley High School graduate, played the final 2 minutes and scored two points.
* The three assistants on the bench were Adrian Dantley, John Welch and Tim Grgurich. Welch and Grgurich moved up after the departures of Doug Moe and Mike Dunlap.
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October 10, 2008
12:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
B300 writes:
I say kick the gangbanger out of town. This guy is bad for our community. Wait; who cares anyway? Let the guy fall off the planet for all I care.
October 10, 2008
1:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
kmeissner writes:
If you both don't care about him, why are you both reading the article? AND COMMENTING!
It's pre-season for crying out loud. He doesn't HAVE to play these games. He needs to be healthy for the regular season games that actually count.
GO NUGGETS!
October 10, 2008
1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
chill134 writes:
As long as the person replacing him has at least one leg and one arm, we'll get a better defensive effort than Melo puts forth.
October 10, 2008
2:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
It's preseason so it doesnt matter anyway and honestly when you play 80 games a few games dont matter.
October 10, 2008
2:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
anthony1979 writes:
it's preseason....WHO CARES??!!
October 10, 2008
6:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
bgeist writes:
B300 and steel you are both idiots. IF you want to act like jerks don't read it. Boneheads.
October 10, 2008
10:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
jbowen43 writes:
Chris Andersen should model his play after Dennis Rodman. Play tough defense and chase every loose ball. Pass first.
October 10, 2008
11:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
denverone writes:
Carmelo is a good kid. He made some mistakes, which we all have, unless of course you are a choir boy.
We have some exciting players on this team. Enjoy them and be grateful you get to watch them every week while you can.
October 11, 2008
2:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
RDenver writes:
Come on now...it's PRACTICE.........! Just practice..man!
October 15, 2008
11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
jersey writes:
Even the three blind mice could see bringing back this no talented sorry excuse for a NBA'er is nothing more than a PR move. Another stroke of genius by "Clueless George". "Clueless" and "Birdman" must be charter members of the Meteorologist profession seeing how both, even though their inept track records dictates otherwise, still are able to get paid. If their residence was anywhere else other than the "Mile Hi", aka, "Mediocracy Highlighted", they both would be long forgotten footnotes!