The Birdman?

[FLCeltsFan]

This from Chicago Tribune via CelticsBlog

www.celticsblog.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2276&Itemid=189

Another intriguing potential free agent could be Chris Andersen, a hustling big man who is applying for reinstatement after a two-year drug suspension. The New Orleans Hornets control the rights to Andersen (a Joakim Noah/Anderson Varejao type) and you wonder if they'd want to risk disrupting their wonderful chemistry even though coach Byron Scott says the team's bench is weak. Andersen has become friendly with Kevin Garnett and you wonder if the Boston Celtics would want to help their shallow bench if he is reinstated and New Orleans passes on him, though the Hornets might not want to risk Andersen going to a rival like the San Antonio Spurs.

What do you think? We need a point guard but have 2 slots open. Would the Birdman fit a need for another big off the bench?

[freshnthehouse]

I dunno. I think his game would fit in well here, but Im also a proponent of the "If it ain't broke," school of thought. But, seeing how this article was written by Sam Smith, I'd say it's about 99% false. This guy is the king of pulling stuff out of his tuckus and pawning it off as insider information.

[Deleted]

Rebounding/Hustling would be very good ingredient to add at the end of our bench. No offense to Scala but, I rather have a guy like Anderson playing important minutes on this roster than a guy who scores a 3-pointer once every 10 games.

Not to mention isn't he atleast 6'10"? Which would be a big improvement over our smallish front-court.

[DERRENMATTS]

I think he would be a nice addition. He's a hustler with a long wingspan and some athleticism and speed. He can also block some shots and provide Tommy Points off the bench.

I don't know if he's the missing piece off the bench for the backup 5 spot, but his height is needed, and this in itself would be good for us (no more Powe or Baby at the 5 please).

[kofanis0880]

as long as Scalabrine and/or Pollard are cut sounds good to me

[findawgg]

I actually wrote about this on September 20th. Based on the information I that was available, the Hornets have said they have absolutely no intention of bringing him back. I wouldn't mind having a guy like that in a green uniform, but he has been away from the game for 2 years, how much of an impact can he have after that long a lay off. It's not like he's an elite player coming back after a long layoff, hell even MJ needed several weeks to get his game back and he was freakin' MJ. With two spots left on the roster, do the Celtics really want to use one of them for a high risk middle reward player?

--Fin

[Celtic17]

Andersen has become friendly with Kevin Garnett and you wonder if the Boston Celtics would want to help their shallow bench

The only thing I want to know....
Is our bench shallow? Does this person watch the games?

[DERRENMATTS]

findawg said:

I actually wrote about this on September 20th. Based on the information I that was available, the Hornets have said they have absolutely no intention of bringing him back. I wouldn't mind having a guy like that in a green uniform, but he has been away from the game for 2 years, how much of an impact can he have after that long a lay off. It's not like he's an elite player coming back after a long layoff, hell even MJ needed several weeks to get his game back and he was freakin' MJ. With two spots left on the roster, do the Celtics really want to use one of them for a high risk middle reward player?

--Fin

Difference is, Fin, that MJ had to make a comeback to the level of greatness he once was at. Anderson is trying to return to a backup level, and it really shouldn't take him too long to do that. Backups usually get 12 - 15 minutes off the bench (good ones obviously will get more), and what he'll be asked to do is provide energy (which comes naturally for this guy), rebound, alter some shots, and follow missed shots and slam it down hard. Once his conditioning has returned, the rust will come off rather quickly.

Question is, does anyone think he can replace Perkins in the starting lineup?

[findawgg]

derrenmatts said:

findawg said:

Difference is, Fin, that MJ had to make a comeback to the level of greatness he once was at. Anderson is trying to return to a backup level, and it really shouldn't take him too long to do that. Backups usually get 12 - 15 minutes off the bench (good ones obviously will get more), and what he'll be asked to do is provide energy (which comes naturally for this guy), rebound, alter some shots, and follow missed shots and slam it down hard. Once his conditioning has returned, the rust will come off rather quickly.

Question is, does anyone think he can replace Perkins in the starting lineup?

Couldn't disagree more. In MJ's second comeback he only needed to be a solid starter not the MJ of legend. For guys that rely on energy rather than a firm understanding of the game it takes longer for them to re-acclimate themselves back to an elite level of competition. Players, like MJ, that have a firm understanding of the game can rely on their savvy knowledge in order to make a meaningful contribution while the rest of their game catches up. A guy like Anderson doesn't have that kind of asset to act as a stop gap while he gets comfortable again. Don't forget this is a guy that hasn't played an NBA schedule in two years which in and of itself takes an enormous adjustment. Energy guys that have had an extended period of time away from the game can't rely solely on athleticism, especially on an elite team.

--Fin

[DERRENMATTS]

I see where you are coming from, but take Leon Powe as a good example of energy players who come in and make things happen even when they may not have a firm understanding of the NBA game (I think this was what Doc said about Powe last season).

Powe comes in, instinctively looks for the ball and using his energy and hustle, grabs boards. He may not have a lot of understanding of X's and O's, but he is relentless going after boards, and he often keeps rebounds alive by tipping it over and over again (ala Dennis Rodman).

I play basketball with guys who aren't basketball savvy, but they can be productive because of their energy and hustle. When you play with these variables, you mostly need to get your conditioning back first, and then you are back to your normal self.

[findawgg]

Not an invalid point by any stretch, but Powe hasn't been away from the game for two years, he's been in the mix and playing against some very good player in practice. I'm sure the Birdman, has been playing, but against what kind of talent? I'm not saying he can't be of value, my question is how long will it take him to make a contribution and at the cost of whose minutes? The only reason why Powe has squeaked in to the rotation has been due in large part to injuries to Posey then KG.

--Fin

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, that is the question--how quickly Anderson can get back to playing at the level he was playing at a few years ago. Of course, conditioning is a huge part of it, cause he needs to be able to sprint up and down the court without getting winded.

IMO, energy hustlers and rebounders don't necessarily rely so much on smarts and savvy, more than they do just crashing the boards hard with reckless abandon (which is how he plays anyways, I believe). And if this is correct, just getting his lungs back and being in good basketball shape should get him back to where he was before.

[birdie]

Birdman in the house, get this man

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

I dunno, I think Leon Powe and BBD are both doing a fine job in the paint. They both have impressed me so far. They pick up the slack for KG.

[DERRENMATTS]

quinielabox said:

I dunno, I think Leon Powe and BBD are both doing a fine job in the paint. They both have impressed me so far. They pick up the slack for KG.

Yeah, both have been really nice lately. But they aren't Centers--they are both under 6'8", and its hard to compete on the boards when we are playing a short frontcourt.