Hornets Sign Chris Andersen

[RipCity32]

March 5, 2008

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center Chris Andersen. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“We know that Chris is a good person who made a bad mistake and we’re proud of him for taking responsibility for his actions,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “Now that he has taken the steps to be reinstated by the NBA, we can concentrate on what he can do to help this team as we head towards the playoffs.”

Andersen was officially reinstated by the NBA on Tuesday. He was dismissed from the league on Jan. 27, 2006, after violating the terms of the league’s anti-drug policy.

“I am truly sorry for letting down the organization, my teammates, the fans and the city with my mistakes,” said Andersen. “I humbly thank the NBA and the Shinn family for this second chance and I promise that I will do everything I can on and off the court to make the most of it.”

Andersen holds career NBA averages of 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 253 games. He averaged 6.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 99 games during his one-and-a-half seasons with the Hornets (including 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 32 games during the 2005-06 season prior to his dismissal from the league). Before joining the Hornets, Andersen averaged 4.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 154 games (2001-2004) with the Denver Nuggets.

“Chris comes to us eager to prove himself and ready to do whatever he can to fit in and help us win,” said General Manager Jeff Bower. “We’re looking for him to play the same high-energy style of basketball that made him such a good fit for us and made him a fan favorite during his first go-round with the team.”

Andersen was originally signed by Hornets as a free agent on July 19, 2004. He was re-signed by the team on August 3, 2005.

Well the Birdman is officaly back.

 

[Pugz]

Wonder how much PT he'll get.

 

[RipCity32]

Well they really don't have any back-up big men lol.

 

[dez]

Boy is he gonna be "rusty" but I can guarentee this, once he gets the chance he's gonna POSTERIZE somebody.

 

[Pugz]

Boy is he gonna be "rusty" but I can guarentee this, once he gets the chance he's gonna POSTERIZE somebody.

He's been training with the Denver Nuggets the last two years.

 

[dez]

He's been training with the Denver Nuggets the last two years.

Oh i didnt know that, maybe he'll be in even better shape then.

 

[.snowy]

Damn...his suspension seems so long ago.

 

[DJT]

Only 2 years...ahaha.

Well I think he'll play and do pretty good, bring that energy in that he always did.

 

[-Torres-]

he'll be a nice player off the bench. The Hornets are a scary team.

 

[bestkeptsecret13]

Sign him up for next year's dunk contest... This year's was too short.

 

[-Torres-]

Sign him up for next year's dunk contest... This year's was too short.

lol, maybe he should do the opposite of Howard and ask if the league will lower the rim so he can complete a dunk finally.

 

[-Torres-]

didn't mean to post twice

 

[Mexi]

he'll be a nice player off the bench. The Hornets are a scary team.

lol
Hornets = overrated

 

[-Torres-]

lol
Hornets = overrated

you think so? I don't. Chris Paul is the best PG in the league IMO. They also have nice compliment players and good C in Chandler.