DENVER -- The Birdman is back for the Nuggets.
High-flying forward Chris Andersen, sent to the injured list for
six games last month because of lackluster play, has averaged 5.8
rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in 17.5 minutes in his first four
games back.
"Chris has gotten back to being energized and focused in on
what his strengths are," coach Jeff Bzdelik said before Friday
night's game against Houston. "He's been great on the boards."
Andersen at one point lost playing time to reserves Michael
Doleac and Francisco Elson. He ended up on the injured list March
13 with what the team called tendinitis in his knee.
"Everybody would be a little disappointed when put on IR,"
said Andersen, who is averaging 3.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.64
blocks for the season. "But I took it to my advantage and came out
with a positive attitude. I needed a little break. And came out
strong. My knees were hurting doing all that running and jumping."
Said Bzdelik: "You don't get paid to have a midseason rest."
But the coach is glad to have Andersen helping out on the boards
and giving the team another shot-blocking threat to go with center
Marcus Camby.
"Chris is active, and being active and aggressive against
anybody is good," Bzdelik said.
Anderson always gets a big cheer when he enters a game.
Teammates often use a shortened version of his nickname.
"He's just Bird," forward Ryan Bowen said. "The original
Birdman is CoCo Beware. He was a wrestler in the late '80s and
early '90s. He came out in the ring with a parrot."