I made NBA history with the Denver Nuggets as Birdman, their tattooed enforcer—then was kicked out of the league for two years
Birdman! Birdman! Birdman!
Chris Andersen was one of a kind.
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Andersen was the Denver Nuggets’ bad boyCredit: GettyHis look was one of the most iconic and recognizable in NBA history.
The acrobatic high-flyer with the 7-foot-2 wingspan, covered in ink from head to toe, with spiked hair, earned him the nickname Birdman when he played for the Denver Nuggets in the early 2000s.
Birdman quickly became a household name in the Association, but his path was by no means linear.
Andersen originally went undrafted out of high school before catching on with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league squad in 2001.
READ MORE NBAAfter briefly signing with the Phoenix Suns, Andersen was then selected with the first overall pick by the Fayetteville Patriots in the NBA Development League’s inaugural draft, known as the D-League at the time.
He became the first D-League player in league history to be called up by an NBA team, when he signed with the Denver Nuggets later that year.
Andersen would go on to have a 15-year career in the NBA, with seven of those coming in Denver, during two different stints.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Andersen.
He was suspended in the middle of his NBA career from 2006-2008 for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Andersen’s suspension risked expulsion from the league under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement because his actions fell under the “drugs of abuse” category.
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Andersen became a fan favorite during his time in DenverCredit: Getty
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Andersen would win a championship with LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2013Credit: Getty
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Andersen has one of the most iconic looks of any playerCredit: GettyHe appealed the ruling for over two years, before the NBA Players Association finally granted his request to be reinstated.
Birdman would go on to play 10 more years in the league after his two-year absence.
Including becoming an NBA champion as a member of the Miami Heat in 2013 alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
However, he is most widely remembered for his time in the Mile High City.
He was Denver’s enforcer. Bully. High-flyer.
Birdman backed down from no one.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal claims he’d ‘tear up’ Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in his prime
The days of Birdman roaming the paint in the Mile High city are long gone.
The current iteration of the Denver Nuggets is led by one of the most talented players the game has ever seen in Nikola Jokic.
The three-time MVP brought the city its first championship and remains the best player in the game today.
Jokic is leading the Nuggets into battle against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the postseason.
Denver was able to steal Game 1 in OKC, and will look to do the same on Wednesday night for Game 2.
