The Birdman
If there was a personification of the player or type of player the Blazers could desperately use, it is Chris "The Birdman" Andersen.He's an intangible guy. He's rugged. He dishes hard fouls. He plays tough D. He crashes the offensive glass. He gets energy baskets around the rim. And he's a flat out lunatic in a way that every current Trailblazers is not.
I just watched him trail a loping Shannon Brown towards the rim, leap up, and swat the ball hard off the backboard. Then, after dramatically rejecting the shot, he remained under Denver's basket, and flapped his arms in Bird-like fashion, inciting the crowd - but not actually bothering to run down to the other end of the court while his team had the ball.
Just a classically dopey play by The Birdman. But precisely the type of play the Blazers could use more of.
All of that said, the likelihood of the Blazers acquiring Chris Andersen is close to nil.
So, I pose the question: if it's not The Birdman, who are the realistic players the Blazers could target in Free Agency or via trade that would offer some of the same attributes of a Birdman?
Update:
Some interesting names coming in through the Comments section. It's important to remember that we're talking about finding a rugged role player that can improve the team's toughness here - not a starter. So some suggestions below are less relevant that others.
- Brandon Bass, DAL
- Leon Powe, BOS
- Marcus Camby, LAC
- Anderson Varajeo, CLE
- Udonis Haslem, MIA
- Chuck Hayes, HOU
- Gerald Wallace, CHA
Update - Part II:
Bit surprised that no one has mentioned another intriguing option:
- Antonio McDyess, DET
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Brandon Bass?
Leon Powe?
Brandon Bass?
Leon Powe?
Outlaw for Marcus Camby.... Why not? The Clippers are going for overkill on the 4 and 5 after they draft Griffin and could use a 3..... Camby would look real nice on that second unit next to either Greg or Joel and it opens up minutes for a very promising Batum and a returning Martel.....
Oh, and Camby only has one year left on his contract so it wouldn't in any way effect our ability to sign our own studs to their extentions.....
There is also a very intriguing Anderson Varajeo, but I couldn't imagine him going from starting foward on the King's team to a back-up role with Portland, but it's worth mentioning because he would be perfect.
I've always thought Udonis Haslem was that kind of banger without the extreme mental breakdown that birdman exhibits every game. You aren't getting a scorer, but you are getting someone that isn't afraid to put their body in harms way. With Miami looking to move his expiring deal, and they already have Beasley, he is attainable. I wouldn't play him over LMA, but maybe we trot out Haslem as center sometimes.
Gortat is the only free agent who could give what the Birdman could.
He was also a drug addict. I highly doubt the kind of guy that they want in the locker room.
If I were the Blazers, I would worry about keeping the good pieces I have and making a trade for a great one or three. I wouldn't worry about a guy that comes off of the bench to provide a spark for fifteen minutes.
http://therookiecontract.com/
Forget the trade. The Blazers already have a guy like that who can block shots, board and play defense. His name is Greg Oden. I expect him to play well next season after he's had a full off-season workout as well as practicing with Team USA. I will be shocked if he doesn't average at least 15 and 10 next season. He should also average around 2 blocks a game once he learns how to stay out of foul trouble and the refs learn how to officiate him properly.
What? WHAT?!?
Okay on the face of it the Chicken McThugget, aka "Birdman" does LOOK like someone who should be on the Portland Trailblazers. Or at least somebody doing kick flips in the skatepark underneath Burnside. Or possibly giving sonmeone a body slam at Satyricon for Portland Organic Wrestling. Or maybe just somebody holding up a sign at the bottom of the Rose Quarter exit, panhandling.
That gutter punk aesthetic is the only "quality" Anderson has that might make him appropriate for P-Town. No matter what his ability is to make an emphatic block is, failing to get back in transition in the WCF because he is showboating is a classic example of the kind of PF we don't want.
Though this is not a "realistic" name, I have learned HUGE respect for Chuck Hayes following his performance against both us and the Lakers. That's the kind of PF I want backing up LMA.
What? WHAT?!?
Okay on the face of it the Chicken McThugget, aka "Birdman" does LOOK like someone who should be on the Portland Trailblazers. Or at least somebody doing kick flips in the skatepark underneath Burnside. Or possibly giving sonmeone a body slam at Satyricon for Portland Organic Wrestling. Or maybe just somebody holding up a sign at the bottom of the Rose Quarter exit, panhandling.
That gutter punk aesthetic is the only "quality" Anderson has that might make him appropriate for P-Town. No matter what his ability is to make an emphatic block is, failing to get back in transition in the WCF because he is showboating is a classic example of the kind of PF we don't want.
Though this is not a "realistic" name, I have learned HUGE respect for Chuck Hayes following his performance against both us and the Lakers. That's the kind of PF I want backing up LMA.
Oh snap! double post! *puts on dunce cap*
To kdjinx: Anderson Varajeo plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Why would the top team in the league this year trade or let go their starting PF? It seems to me Cleveland is not going to make moves to get worse. At worst I could see them doing a sign and trade if his contract is up but why would they ever want our young undeveloped talent for a team that is trying to win every year from here on out. If their not going to keep him it seems like they would need to upgrade. Varajoe is their best young bigman.
Just because I herd of Brian Grant's condition this weekend it made me think the Blazers could use his services on team.
esotericthinker:
Varajeo is a free agent whom the cavs almost lost last year when he was a restricted free agent; This year he has a players option and can go to what ever team pays him the most..... Besides, I stated in my post I doubt he'd want to leave Cleveland, but remains intriguing.... Use your brain before your mouth my friend.....
GERALD WALLACE
Gerald Wallace would cost way more than Varejao or the Birdman. He's an All-Star caliber player.
Cool Post, Thanks.
Gerald Wallace wouldn't be hard to get at all. In fact, they probably would have traded him straight up for an expiring contract like a Raef Lefrenz. Still don't know why the Blazers didn't move him for a one or a three.
Great post today about the junior class of the NBA, see where Roy and Aldridge rank.
http://therookiecontract.com/
The Blazers screwed themselves here. They can't sign The Great White Peacock without an immediate "Back to the Jail Blazers" response from fans and the media.
I don't think adding in one questionable guy would ruin the dynamics of the team, or give the green light for putting a stripper pole back in the locker room. But there will certainly be fans and media who would bring that up. And unfortunately for us, those bruisers and bashers tend to be the types of guys who have off the court issues as well. So KP will have to weigh all of that out if he goes for a guy like Andersen.
I wish I had an interesting name to throw into the mix, or agreed strongly with one of the previously mentioned guys. I think we have a lot of pieces we can trade, and I'm anxious to see what happens. Maybe the dude who lost 30 pounds is available? He obviously has nothing going on right now so he'd be available.
Surprised as well that no one mentioned Linas Kleiza.
pryzbilla does basically everything the birdman does, he's just athletically different
SHAWN MARION