Miami Heat to Re-Sign Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen


As expected, The Birdman will fly back to South Beach — Chris Andersen and the Miami Heat have reached a deal. Per the Sun-Sentinel: “Added at midseason, the 35-year-old known for his full-body tattoos and trademark Mohawk haircut was particularly effective both during the Heat’s franchise-record 27-game winning streak at midseason as well as the team’s run to a third consecutive NBA Finals. While Andersen will return on a minimal deal, less than he was offered by other suitors, some of that lost income will be offset by the $4.8 million he still is owed for 2013-14 by the Denver Nuggets, who released Andersen last July under the ‘amnesty’ program utilized to ease teams’ obligations under the NBA’s onerous luxury tax. By accepting a lesser contract, Andersen will earn early-Bird rights next season with the Heat, making him eligible next summer for a Heat free-agent contract starting in excess of $5 million. Andersen became a popular fixture in the locker room after he was added in January, starring in the team’s ‘Harlem Shake’ video that went viral on YouTube. Andersen indicated at the team’s championship celebration that his goal was to return, saying amid the emotion of the moment, ‘Let’s try to get a three-peat next year.’ Asked at the celebration what made him so popular among South Florida fans, he told the crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena, ‘Maybe because I’m a crazy-ass white boy.'”