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Ball Don't Lie

Tue May 26, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

Denver's 'Birdman' phenomenon continues to take flight

By J.E. Skeets


If you don't know the sensational feel-good story of Chris "Birdman" Andersen by now, you probably A) have very little interest in watching the Denver Nuggets play playoff basketball, or B) just so happen to be Lakers bloggers Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky's mother. ("Hi, Mrs. Kamenetzky!")

But just in case, here's the crib notes version:

Andersen goes undrafted in the '99 Draft; starts pro career in China and the D-League; eventually gets called up by Denver; signs as a free agent with New Orleans; makes a joke of himself in the '05 Dunk Contest; is disqualified a year later from the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy; is reinstated two years later with NO/OKC; gets released; signs a new one-year deal with Denver; blocks every shot within reach; flaps his arms; wins over the hearts, hair and skin of The Mile High City.

And it's those last couple of points that are important. Because without them, we wouldn't have this glorious collection of Andersen disciples, or as Jeff Van Gundy likes to call 'em, "Birdman fanatics," caught nesting Monday night in the lowland stands of the Pepsi Center.

*****

*****

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Please tell me that tattoo is real.

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485 Comments

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  1. DMAN
    1. Posted by DMAN Tue May 26, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    Birdman rules!
  2. gaborik10m
    2. Posted by gaborik10m Tue May 26, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Fail x 4
  3. JOSE M
    3. Posted by JOSE M Tue May 26, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    www.thesportschronicles.blogspot.com
    L.A. needs a Birdman
  4. TBOI
    4. Posted by TBOI Tue May 26, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    Fly high homie.
  5. ty!
    5. Posted by ty! Tue May 26, 2009 5:04 pm EDT

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    Great story.. butttttttttt.... GO LAKERS!
    That dudes gotta lose the mohawk thingy man!
  6. bcatsfaninla
    6. Posted by bcatsfaninla Tue May 26, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    Whether or not you like the Nuggets, you have to support Chris "Birdman" Andersen. Great story of triumph, great person overall. It doesn't hurt that he's a helluva player and humble, too.
  7. sam spade
    7. Posted by sam spade Tue May 26, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    Let me give it to you. You see in baseball, the media has been trying to sell Josh Hamilton to the public as a savior of baseball in the post-steroid era. He's got a similar story. However, Hamilton has become holier than thou. He's gone from addict to God. In the case of the Birdman; we know he's real. We can see he has problems just like the rest of us. we can see that he struggles with his problems day by day; just like the rest of us. We've all really messed up at some point. Hamilton doesn't come off as authentic. Birdman is us. And that's why we cheer for him so hard and loud. The media didn't sell us Birdman, we embraced him on our own. Fly on Birdman!
  8. goldgrillz09
    8. Posted by goldgrillz09 Tue May 26, 2009 5:14 pm EDT

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    wuz up GO MAGIC
  9. ak800
    9. Posted by ak800 Tue May 26, 2009 5:23 pm EDT

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    America loves real people like the BIRDMAN!! not fakers like kobe and chokers like lebrick
  10. Joe P
    10. Posted by Joe P Tue May 26, 2009 5:24 pm EDT

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    I think that first Birdman imitator is of the flightless variety...I'm glad the picture doesn't go any lower lest we get a peek at his pale flabby arms, too. Put your sleeves down, fatty.
  11. gaborik10m
    11. Posted by gaborik10m Tue May 26, 2009 5:25 pm EDT

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    live chat tonight?
  12. MR.MVP
    12. Posted by MR.MVP Tue May 26, 2009 5:26 pm EDT

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    Birdman is a cool guy.. too bad he only has a 2 more games to play this season!! Lakers in 6!!! his season is over.. Lakers regulate!!!
    Los Angeles, where Amazing happens!!!
    Don’t hate on any team, just cheer for yours!!! It’s more commendable!!!
  13. Coach Isiah Thompson
    13. Posted by Coach Isiah Thompson Tue May 26, 2009 5:29 pm EDT

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    Les found out what coach Isiah Thompson has diagrammed for a last second game winning shot if Denver needs it. According to Les, the Birdman Chris Andersen will pass to the man, Rodney shoots the 3......"BOOM goes the dynamite!" Final tally, Rodney scores 8 buckets out of 7 shots...unbelievable feat. Les agrees, do you? Discuss!
  14. Greg Kane
    14. Posted by Greg Kane Tue May 26, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

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    Sam Spade, if you think Josh Hamilton is holier-than-thou and doesn't admittedly struggle with his demons, you should seriously consider taking a closer look. This is a guy who will look anyone in the eye and tell them all the rotten stuff he's done (i've heard none of that from Anderson), who admits to not being allowed to carry cash because he's afraid he'll buy dope. He's about as real as it gets.
  15. ZooLou
    15. Posted by ZooLou Tue May 26, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

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    Birdmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
  16. Simmsinns
    16. Posted by Simmsinns Tue May 26, 2009 5:56 pm EDT

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    I'm not a Denver fan but... BIIIIIIIRRRRRDMAAAAN!
  17. CONSUMER 101
    17. Posted by CONSUMER 101 Tue May 26, 2009 5:56 pm EDT

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    Of course this dork is cool in DENVER !
    What a pozer !
  18. DMAN
    18. Posted by DMAN Tue May 26, 2009 6:01 pm EDT

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    I'm not a Denver fan, but I am a Birdman fan. Chancey needs to help him get a ring. This dude is inspirational.
  19. Andrew K
    19. Posted by Andrew K Tue May 26, 2009 6:30 pm EDT

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    there were better shots of Birdman fans during Saturday night's game - including a 50 year old-ish woman with a mohawk!
    but yeah, only in Denver...
  20. mr.american_eagle17
    20. Posted by mr.american_eagle17 Tue May 26, 2009 6:51 pm EDT

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    Dey don't jus don't call him birdman 4 nothin .....
  21. rt
    21. Posted by rt Tue May 26, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    This is a great, fun series to watch, two good teams. And yes the Birdman has a great story, and plays some good basketball. To the post from #16. Are you for real. Can you talk with out being stupid, do you even have a job, or are you as stupid as you sound.
  22. MichaelT
    22. Posted by MichaelT Tue May 26, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    Initially, I must admit that I didn't like Chris Anderson. I thought that he was a freak and ran counter to everything that I believed in, with the hair, tats, soul-patch and sordid history.
    My view and opinion of him has changed 100% as I've watched him play, and heard him speak. He is no Rhodes Scholar, but he has heart, and he is humble. It's obvious he's happy to just be there. There is a lot to like about him and his attitude. At this point, Carmelo, Chauncey, Kobe and even Lebron could learn a lot from him, for various and different reasons. It is obvious just watching him that he loves the game and is giving it his all.
    Hell, we could all learn something from Chris Anderson. Go Birdman.
  23. gibbs
    23. Posted by gibbs Tue May 26, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    you must be a poser king pin seeing as you called him a dork and spelled it pozer like a fruitcake.
  24. celebpros
    24. Posted by celebpros Tue May 26, 2009 7:50 pm EDT

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    Birdman will do great as long as Kobe keeps doing this!
    http://thecount.com/2009/05/26/kobe-bryant-goes-to-strip-club-night-before-big-game/
  25. Victor
    25. Posted by Victor Tue May 26, 2009 8:03 pm EDT

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    Bird-Man... More like Drug-Man.. Its sad when you look at these kids looking up to this Drug addict.. You parents should be ashamed to allow your kids to look up to this guy....... By the way, he got the Nick Name Bird-Man because he was as high as a bird.... Goooooooooo Drug-Man.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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