Chris Andersen
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1978)}}
{{About||the American journalist|Christopher Andersen|people of a similar name|Chris Anderson (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Chris Andersen
| image = Chris "Birdman" Andersen 2009.jpg
| caption = Andersen with the Nuggets in 2009
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 245
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|7|7}}
| birth_place = Long Beach, California, U.S.
| high_school = Iola (Iola, Texas)
| college = Blinn (1997–1999)
| draft_year = 1999
| career_start = 1999
| career_end = 2017
| career_position = Center / power forward
| career_number = 15, 11, 1, 12, 7, 00
| years1 = 1999–2000
| team1 = Jiangsu Nangang
| years2 = 2000
| team2 = New Mexico Slam
| years3 = 2000–2001
| team3 = Fargo-Moorhead Beez
| years4 = 2001
| team4 = Sugarland Sharks
| years5 = 2001
| team5 = Fayetteville Patriots
| years6 = {{nbay|2001|start}}–{{nbay|2003|end}}
| team6 = Denver Nuggets
| years7 = {{nbay|2004|start}}–{{nbay|2005|end}}, {{nbay|2007|end}}
| team7 = New Orleans Hornets{{efn|During the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets during their temporary relocation to Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina.}}
| years8 = {{nbay|2008|start}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}
| team8 = Denver Nuggets
| years9 = {{nbay|2012|end}}–{{nbay|2015|end}}
| team9 = Miami Heat
| years10 = {{nbay|2015|end}}
| team10 = Memphis Grizzlies
| years11 = {{nbay|2016|full=y}}
| team11 = Cleveland Cavaliers
| highlights = * NBA champion (2013)
}}
Christopher Claus Andersen (born July 7, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Birdman",{{cite web |title=Chris Andersen NBA Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderch01.html |access-date=March 7, 2013 |website=Basketball-Reference.com}} Andersen was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in Iola, Texas, and played one year at Blinn College.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chris_andersen/bio.html |title=NBA.com: Chris Andersen Bio Page |work=NBA.com |access-date=July 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621034019/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chris_andersen/bio.html |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} Andersen began his professional career in the Chinese Basketball Association and the American minor leagues. He then played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets. He received a two-year ban from the NBA in 2006 for violating the league's drug policy,{{cite web |date=January 27, 2006 |others=Contributed by The Associated Press |title=Hornets' Andersen kicked out of NBA for drug use |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2308918 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |work=ESPN.com}} but was reinstated on March 4, 2008, and re-signed with the Hornets the next day. He returned to Denver later in 2008, and remained with the team until 2012. He signed with the Miami Heat in January 2013 and won a championship with them that same year. He and Oliver Lafayette are the only Blinn students to ever play in the NBA.{{cite web|first=Ross|last=Coleman|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/580652-the-best-player-from-all-119-schools-represented-in-the-nba/page/9 |title=The Best Player From All 119 Schools Represented in the NBA|work=Bleacher Report|date=January 24, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2013}} He most recently played for Power in the Big3 league.
Early life
Andersen is the second of the three children of corrections officer and Danish immigrant Claus Andersen and Linda Holubec, a Tennessee native who worked as a waitress at the Port Hueneme naval base and played basketball in high school. In 1982, when Andersen was four, his family moved to Texas, using a loan from the Texas Veterans Land Board to purchase a 10-acre plot in unincorporated Iola, about 100 miles northwest of Houston. The Andersens then lived off the land, with Linda working in low-end jobs and relying on the help of neighbors and Linda's brother, who was a Navy supply boat captain. During Andersen's middle school years, he and his siblings were sent to a group home in Dallas for three years.{{cite web|last=Palmer|first=Chris|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=Andersen-080511|title=Birdman's redemption bittersweet for his mother|work=ESPN the Magazine|date=May 12, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2013}}
College career
As a teenager, Andersen was convinced to take up basketball by the varsity basketball coach at Iola High School, Robert Stewart, who said the sport could give him a chance at a college scholarship. Andersen could not get the grades to attend the University of Houston, but went to Blinn College in Brenham, where Stewart's father, Ernest, once served as athletic director. He played one season with the Blinn Buccaneers, leading the National Junior College Athletic Association players in blocks.
Professional career
=Jiangsu Dragons (1999–2000)=
Convinced that he could play professionally, Andersen dropped out of Blinn in 1999, not knowing he had to officially apply for the NBA draft to get picked up. Andersen's high school coach arranged for him to play a series of exhibition games with the semi-professional Texas Ambassadors, and a game in China led Andersen to get an offer to join the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.
= New Mexico Slam (2000) =
In March 2000, Andersen joined the New Mexico Slam of the International Basketball League where he averaged just 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in six regular-season games and four playoff games.
= Fargo-Moorhead Beez (2000–2001) =
Later that year, Andersen joined the Dakota Wizards of the International Basketball Association (IBA) but left before the season started. He then joined the Fargo-Moorhead Beez also of the IBA where he played seven games before being released in January 2001.{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Leibowitz|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1658380-a-timeline-of-chris-birdman-birdman-andersens-bizarre-nba-career|title=A Timeline of Chris 'Birdman! Birdman!' Andersen's Bizarre NBA Career|publisher=Bleacher Report|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2013}}
= Sugarland Sharks (2001) =
After his stint in the IBA, Andersen joined the Sugarland Sharks of the Southwest Basketball League later on in 2001.
= Fayetteville Patriots (2001) =
In July 2001, Andersen joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2001 NBA Summer League. On September 28, 2001, he signed with the Phoenix Suns. However, he was later waived by the Suns on October 7, 2001. On October 31, 2001, he was selected with the first overall pick by the Fayetteville Patriots in the NBA Development League's inaugural draft.{{cite web|title=National Basketball Development League Announces Inaugural Draft Results|work=NBA.com|publisher=NBDL Enterprises, LLC|date=November 1, 2001|url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/nbdl/draft_results_011101.html|access-date=November 4, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107083227/http://www.nba.com/dleague/nbdl/draft_results_011101.html|archive-date=January 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=Chris Andersen D-League Statistics |work=Basketball-Reference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbdl/players/a/anderch01d.html |access-date=November 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423114112/http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbdl/players/a/anderch01d.html |archive-date=April 23, 2015 }}
=Denver Nuggets (2001–2004)=
Andersen became the first D-League player called up by an NBA team, signing with the Denver Nuggets on November 21, 2001, after just two games for Fayetteville.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/nbdl/NBDL_Player_Called_Up.html|title=NBDL: First NBDL Player "Called Up" to NBA|work=NBA.com|date=November 21, 2001|access-date=June 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124054626/http://www.nba.com/dleague/nbdl/NBDL_Player_Called_Up.html|archive-date=November 24, 2013|df=mdy-all}} He quickly became one of the top per-minute rebounders and shot-blockers in the league.{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Cavan|url=http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/for-chris-andersen-another-chance/|work=The New York Times|title=For Chris Andersen, Another Chance|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=January 22, 2013}} During the 2002 Rocky Mountain Revue, teammates Junior Harrington and Kenny Satterfield nicknamed Andersen "Birdman" for his arm span and penchant for aerial acrobatics.
On September 29, 2003, he re-signed with the Nuggets.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/bio/?id=556 |work=TSN.ca |title=Chris Andersen #11 – C/F |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082433/http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/bio/?id=556 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 }}
=New Orleans Hornets (2004–2006)=
On July 19, 2004, Andersen signed a multi-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets. He appeared in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during the 2005 All-Star weekend for the second year in a row,{{cite web |last=Simmons |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Simmons |date=April 15, 2008 |title=NBA MVP breakdown, Part I |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080415 |access-date=July 10, 2013 |work=ESPN.com}} where he unsuccessfully tried the same dunk eight times at the Pepsi Center.{{cite news|first=Mary |last=Burns |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/02/06/notebook/ |magazine=Sports Illustrated |title=Silence speaks volumes? |date=February 6, 2006 |access-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032314/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/02/06/notebook/ |archive-date=March 6, 2013 }}
Following the effects of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Hornets moved to Oklahoma City for the 2005–06 season and temporarily became the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. In 2005–06, Andersen managed just 32 games (two starts), averaging 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderch01/gamelog/2006/|work=Basketball-Reference.com|title=Chris Andersen 2005–06 Game Log|access-date=June 10, 2013}}
=Expulsion and reinstatement=
On January 25, 2006, Andersen was disqualified from the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy by testing positive for a banned substance. Andersen's suspension fell under the league's category of "drugs of abuse", violation of which is possible grounds for expulsion from the NBA under the league's collective bargaining agreement. Andersen attempted to appeal the ruling through arbitration, but the arbitrator ruled to uphold his dismissal in March 2006. As Andersen waited for his reinstatement, effective January 2008,{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Kuhls |url=http://cornellsun.com/node/21583 |work=CornellSun.com |title=The "Birdman" Should Get a Second Chance |date=February 22, 2007 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307132719/http://cornellsun.com/node/21583 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 }} he was helped by a lawyer friend in Denver, Mark Bryant, who became his adviser. Andersen spent a month in a rehab clinic in Malibu, worked out and coached a boys' basketball team in Denver.{{cite web|first=L. Jon |last=Wertheim |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1160761/2/index.htm |work=CNN.com |title=Flight Of The Birdman |date=October 5, 2009 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707074148/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1160761/2/index.htm |archive-date=July 7, 2013 }}
On March 4, 2008, the NBA Players Association granted Andersen's request to be reinstated as an NBA player.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/news/andersen_080304.html|title=NBA and Players Association Reinstate Chris Andersen|work=NBA.com|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113062856/http://www.nba.com/news/andersen_080304.html|archive-date=January 13, 2013|url-status=dead}} The reinstatement was effective immediately, and the rights to his services belonged to his former team, the New Orleans Hornets, who re-signed him on March 5, 2008, for the rest of the 2007–08 season.{{cite web |date=March 4, 2008 |others=Contributed by The Associated Press and Chris Sheridan |title=Andersen expected to re-sign with Hornets after drug ban lifted |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3275986 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |work=ESPN.com}}
=Return to Denver (2008–2012)=
On July 24, 2008, Andersen signed a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.{{cite web |date=July 24, 2008 |title=Nuggets Sign Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/andersen_signing_072408.html |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com}} Andersen finished the 2008–09 season second in the league in blocks per game with 2.5 despite playing only 20.6 minutes per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2009_leaders.html|title=2008–09 NBA Leaders|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=June 10, 2013}}
On July 8, 2009, Andersen re-signed with the Nuggets on a five-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2009/news/07/08/nuggets.andersen.contract.ap/index.html|title=Nuggets keep Birdman in their nest with 5-year deal|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613033132/http://www.nba.com/2009/news/07/08/nuggets.andersen.contract.ap/index.html|archive-date=June 13, 2013|df=mdy-all}}
On July 17, 2012, the Nuggets waived Andersen via the amnesty clause.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-waive-fc-chris-andersen-under-amnesty-provision|title=Nuggets waive F/C Chris Andersen under amnesty provision|work=NBA.com|date=July 17, 2012|access-date=August 3, 2012}} Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri, a friend of Andersen's, reluctantly made the transaction in order to remove $9 million from the team's payroll cap to avoid the luxury tax.{{cite web|first=Howard|last=Beck|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/sports/basketball/heats-chris-andersen-is-happy-to-share-the-spotlight.html?_r=0|title=Miami's High-Flying, Low-Key Role Player|work=The New York Times|date=May 24, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2013}}
=Miami Heat (2013–2016)=
Before he was waived by the Nuggets, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had repeatedly lobbied Pat Riley to acquire Andersen.
On January 20, 2013, Andersen signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.{{cite web |last=Schmid |first=Donnie |date=January 20, 2013 |title=HEAT Sign Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news_recap/heat-sign-chris-andersen |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/20/heat-sign-chris-andersen.ap/index.html|title=Chris 'Birdman' Andersen signs with Heat|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=January 20, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123073923/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/20/heat-sign-chris-andersen.ap/index.html|archive-date=January 23, 2013|url-status=dead}} He was signed to a second 10-day contract on January 30,{{cite web |last=Herrera |first=Irene |date=January 30, 2013 |title=HEAT Signs Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-chris-andersen |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}} and signed for the remainder of the season on February 8, 2013.{{cite web |last=Herrera |first=Irene |date=February 8, 2013 |title=HEAT Signs Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-chris-andersen-0 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}}
Andersen played in only 42 games during the 2012–13 season but still contributed to the Heat's success by putting up 4.9 points per game on 57.7 FG% and 4.1 rebounds in 14.9 minutes of play. After he joined the Heat, his team went on a 27-game winning streak, overall going 37–3 in regular-season games in which Andersen played. Andersen also gained legions of fans inspired by his head-to-toe tattoos, Mohawk haircut, and trademark hustle.{{cite web|first=Adam H. |last=Beasley |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/21/3462681/chris-birdman-andersen-helps-miami.html |title=Chris 'Birdman' Andersen helps Miami Heat reach mountaintop |work=MiamiHerald.com |date=June 21, 2013 |access-date=June 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084901/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/21/3462681/chris-birdman-andersen-helps-miami.html |archive-date=August 19, 2014 }}{{cite web|first=Kelly|last=Dwyer|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/chris-birdman-andersen-celebrates-exactly-d-expect-him-053228315.html|title=Chris 'Birdman' Andersen celebrates exactly how you'd expect him to|work=Yahoo.com|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=June 21, 2013}}{{cite web|first=Couper|last=Moorhead|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news_recap/chris-andersen-and-rim-run-diary|title=Chris Andersen and The Rim Run Diary|work=NBA.com|date=March 25, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2013}}
Andersen shot 15–15 in Games 1–5 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, including a 7-for-7 performance in Game 1 that set a franchise playoff record, besting the 6-for-6 mark by Alonzo Mourning in 2007. Andersen was suspended for Game 6 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals without pay for committing a flagrant foul on Tyler Hansbrough in Game 5.{{cite web|first=Sekou|last=Smith|title=HEAT'S 'BIRDMAN' GROUNDED FOR GAME 6|url=http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/05/31/heats-birdman-grounded-for-game-6/|work=NBA.com|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607181243/http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/05/31/heats-birdman-grounded-for-game-6/|archive-date=June 7, 2013|url-status=dead}}
At age 34, he reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. Against the San Antonio Spurs in the deciding Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Andersen recorded three points, four rebounds, and a block en route to his first NBA championship. With a field goal percentage of 80.7%, Andersen finished the 2013 NBA Playoffs with an NBA Playoffs record for the highest field goal percentage.
On July 10, 2013, Andersen re-signed with the Miami Heat.{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=D. |date=July 10, 2013 |title=HEAT Re-Signs Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news_recap/heat-re-signs-chris-andersen |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com}} He played 72 games during the 2013–14 regular season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. On May 26, 2014, before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it was announced that Andersen would miss Game 4 and subsequently Game 5 due to an array of nagging aches and pains which he had been suffering for some time.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/26/chris-andersen-out-for-heat.ap/|title=Andersen inactive, Lewis starts Game 4 for Heat|work=NBA.com|date=May 26, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529104646/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/26/chris-andersen-out-for-heat.ap/|archive-date=May 29, 2014|url-status=dead}} Andersen returned for Game 6, recording 9 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat went on to advance to their fourth straight NBA Finals and Andersen's second. The Heat again faced the Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals but were defeated in five games.
On July 19, 2014, Andersen again re-signed with the Heat.{{cite web |date=July 19, 2014 |title=HEAT Signs Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-chris-andersen-1 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com}} Over the course of the 2014–15 regular season, Andersen started 20 games, the most in a single season of his career.
=Memphis Grizzlies (2016)=
On February 16, 2016, the Heat traded Andersen and two second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade also involving the Charlotte Hornets.{{cite web |date=February 16, 2016 |title=Grizzlies acquire four 2nd Round Picks, Chris Andersen & P.J. Hairston in three-team trade |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/anderson-and-hairston-aquired-in-trade-160216 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}} Three days later, he made his debut for the Grizzlies in a 109–104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording four points, three rebounds and one block in 11 minutes.{{cite web |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Conley has 25 points to lead Grizzlies past T'wolves 109–104 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160219/MINMEM/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220014155/http://www.nba.com/games/20160219/MINMEM/gameinfo.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2016 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}} In what would be the final postseason of his career, Andersen made his first career playoff start in a first round sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.
=Cleveland Cavaliers (2016–2017)=
On July 22, 2016, Andersen signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Nick |date=July 22, 2016 |title=Cavaliers Sign Center Chris Andersen |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/andersen-signing-2016 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}} Reuniting him with former Heat teammates LeBron James and James Jones. On December 16, 2016, he was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear that required season-ending surgery.{{cite web |date=December 16, 2016 |title=Cavaliers lose reserve center Chris Andersen to torn ACL |url=https://www.nba.com/news/cleveland-cavaliers-lose-reserve-center-chris-anderson-torn-acl |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}}
On February 13, 2017, the Cavaliers traded Andersen and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a 2017 protected second-round pick.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Nick |date=February 13, 2017 |title=Cavaliers Complete Trade with Charlotte |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/trade-170213 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}} He was immediately waived by the Hornets upon being acquired.{{cite web |last=Wash |first=Quinton |date=February 13, 2017 |title=Hornets Acquire Chris Andersen And Cash Considerations From Cavaliers |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-acquire-chris-andersen-and-cash-c-onsiderations-cavaliers |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}}
Big3 career
On March 23, 2018, Andersen was reported to have signed a contract with the Big3 to join the draft pool, making Andersen draft eligible in the Big3.{{cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/usa/nba/269016/chris-andersen-joins-big3-s-2018-draft-pool.html|title=Chris Andersen joins BIG3's 2018 Draft Pool|date=March 23, 2018|work=Sportando.basketball|access-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715151937/https://sportando.basketball/en/usa/nba/269016/chris-andersen-joins-big3-s-2018-draft-pool.html|archive-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}
He was selected in the 2018 Big3 draft by Power,{{cite web |last=Gatto |first=Tom |title=Big3 Draft 2018 selections: 'Birdman' among 19 chosen for 3-on-3 league |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/big3-draft-2018-selections-schedule-ice-cube-clyde-the-glide-drexler-birdman-birdman/183a99f3prbe51u2atvgt9w29t |website=sportingnews.com |publisher=Sporting News |access-date=15 July 2018}} and helped them win the 2018 Big3 championship.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-26 |title=Inside Team Power's Winning Culture |url=http://big3.lmdevstaging4.com/news/inside-team-powers-winning-culture/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=BIG3 |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Andersen is known for brightly colored tattoos on his arms, chest, neck, hands, and legs. His first tattoo was given as an eighteenth birthday gift by his mother, who has some of her own from her days associating with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. Andersen's regular tattoo artist, Denver-based John Slaughter, estimates he has inked 65 percent of his body.{{cite web|last=Tomasson|first=Chris|url=http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/chris-andersens-tattoos-tell-story-of-his-life-journey-060813|title=Chris Andersen's tattoos tell story of his life journey|work=FOXSports.com|date=June 8, 2013|access-date=June 8, 2013}} He showed off those tattoos in PETA's "Ink Not Mink" ad campaign to protest the fur industry.{{cite web|last=Hochman|first=Benjamin|url=http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_19437498|title=Nuggets center Chris Andersen stands tall for PETA|work=DenverPost.com|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=November 30, 2011}}
On May 10, 2012, Denver NBC affiliate KUSA reported that Andersen's home was the target of an investigation of a suspected internet criminal case by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Matt|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19009257|title=Nuggets F Chris Andersen's home searched by police, property seized|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=May 10, 2012|access-date=August 3, 2012}} Andersen was not charged with any crimes. In September 2013, it was revealed that Andersen, along with Internet model Paris Dunn, were victims of an elaborate catfishing hoax, orchestrated by Canadian woman Shelly Chartier in Easterville, Manitoba.{{cite web |last=Windhorst |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Windhorst |date=September 19, 2013 |title=Heat's Chris Andersen cleared |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9690368 |access-date=September 19, 2013 |work=ESPN}}{{cite web |last=Grobeck |first=Joe |date=3 March 2020 |title=The Insane Story of How "Birdman" Got Catfished |url=https://fanbuzz.com/nba/chris-andersen-catfish/ |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329162614/https://fanbuzz.com/nba/chris-andersen-catfish/ |archive-date=29 March 2020 |access-date=2020-03-05 |website=FanBuzz |language=en}} The story was covered by ABC News' 20/20 and MTV's Catfish: The TV Show.{{Cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/2020/episode-guide/2017-04/14-041417-hooking-a-catfish|title=20/20: 04/14/17: Hooking a Catfish Watch Full Episode {{!}} 04/14/2017|website=ABC|access-date=2017-10-15}}{{Cite web|last=Raft|first=Cait|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/chris-birdman-andersens-catfish-opens-up-to-nev-and-max-recap-w483003|title='Catfish' Recap: Chris "Birdman" Andersen's Catfish Shocks Nev and Max|website=Us Weekly|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=May 18, 2017}}
NBA career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}
=Regular season=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2001}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 24 || 1 || 10.9 || .338 || .000 || .786 || 3.2 || .3 || .3 || 1.2 || 3.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2002}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 59 || 3 || 15.4 || .400 || .000 || .550 || 4.6 || .5 || .5 || 1.0 || 5.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2003}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 71 || 0 || 14.5 || .443 || .000 || .589 || 4.2 || .5 || .5 || 1.6 || 3.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2004}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans
| 67 || 2 || 21.3 || .534 || .000 || .689 || 6.1 || 1.1 || .2 || 1.5 || 7.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2005}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans/Oklahoma City
| 32 || 2 || 17.8 || .571 || – || .476 || 4.8 || .2 || .3 || 1.3 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2007}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans
| 5 || 0 || 6.8 || .286 || – || .500 || 1.8 || .0 || .0 || .8 || 1.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2008}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 71 || 1 || 20.6 || .548 || .200 || .718 || 6.2 || .4 || .6 || 2.5 || 6.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2009}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 76 || 0 || 22.3 || .566 || .000 || .695 || 6.4 || .4 || .6 || 1.9 || 5.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 45 || 0 || 16.3 || .599 || .000 || .637 || 4.9 || .4 || .5 || 1.3 || 5.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 32 || 1 || 15.2 || .546 || – || .610 || 4.6 || .2 || .6 || 1.4 || 5.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" | {{nbay|2012}}†
| style="text-align:left;"| Miami
| 42 || 0 || 14.9 || .577 || .667 || .677 || 4.1 || .4 || .4 || 1.0 || 4.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Miami
| 72 || 0 || 19.4 || .664 || .250 || .710 || 5.3 || .3 || .4 || 1.3 || 6.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Miami
| 60 || 20 || 18.9 || .580 || .308 || .667 || 5.0 || .7 || .4 || 1.0 || 5.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Miami
| 7 || 1 || 5.1 || .400 || .400 || .750 || 1.3 || .4 || .1 || .4 || 1.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis
| 20 || 14 || 18.3 || .548 || .222 || .688 || 4.5 || .5 || .7 || .5 || 4.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland
| 12 || 0 || 9.5 || .409 || .000 || .714 || 2.6 || .4 || .4 || .6 || 2.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 695 || 45 || 17.7 || .532 || .221 || .654 || 5.0 || .5 || .4 || 1.4 || 5.4
{{S-end}}
=Playoffs=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 5 || 0 || 6.8 || .333 || – || .000 || 2.8 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 1.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 15 || 0 || 21.9 || .630 || .000 || .659 || 6.3 || .6 || .3 || 2.1 || 6.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 6 || 0 || 19.3 || .529 || – || .643 || 4.5 || .2 || .2 || 1.0 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| Denver
| 5 || 0 || 14.6 || .636 || – || .714 || 2.8 || .6 || .6 || 1.4 || 4.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2013†
| style="text-align:left;"| Miami
| 20 || 0 || 15.2 || .807 || – || .735 || 3.8 || .2 || .5 || 1.1 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | 2014
| align="left" | Miami
| 18 || 0 || 17.6 || .579 || .000 || .684 || 5.9 || .3 || .3 || 1.0 || 5.1
|-
| align="left" | 2016
| align="left" | Memphis
| 4 || 2 || 19.8 || .417 || – || .625 || 7.8 || .8 || .5 || .8 || 3.8
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 73 || 2 || 17.1 || .631 || .000 || .689 || 5.0 || .4 || .4 || 1.2 || 5.3
{{S-end}}
See also
{{Portal|Sports}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{basketball stats |nba=2365 |bbr=a/anderch01}}
{{Miami Heat 2012–13 NBA champions}}
{{NBA Development League NumberOne Picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andersen, Chris}}
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