Andersen Hopes to Help Hornets
By:
Matt Watson
Last Updated: 3/19/08 8:27 AM ET
| 319 times read
The NBA's drug policy is a curious beast. No positive test is trivial, but certain offenses are clearly treated more severely than others. For instance, it takes three positive tests for marijuana before a player is suspended, and even then it's for a mere five games. The first positive test for steroids, on the other hand, earns the same punishment.
But when it comes to the hard stuff - cocaine, amphetamines, LSD and other "drugs of abuse" - players are one and done, as just a single positive test results in an automatic dismissal from the league with offenders ineligible to even apply for reinstatement for two whole years.
Chris Andersen earned the NBA's harshest punishment in 2005 when he tested positive for an undisclosed substance. His four-year contract with the New Orleans Hornets instantly became null and void, and the promising future he'd carved out as a fan-favorite off the bench came to a screeching halt.
But instead of remaining just a cautionary tale, Andersen has worked hard the last two years to earn a second chance, changing his life and re-dedicating himself to the game. A day after being reinstated by the league earlier this month, Andersen re-signed with his former team for the stretch run.
It's understandable to be suspicious about what Andersen has to offer considering he's been out of the game for two years, but while he may be rusty, at least he's healthy. "For the first year, all my pains and aches and all my ailments were able to get a chance to rest," he said before last Sunday's game in Detroit. "After breaking my thumb and having pins put in it and breaking my wrist - those actually had a chance to heal 100%."
Andersen's always been known for his athletic plays above the rim, but he spent a lot of solitary time in the gym working on his jumper. "When you're shooting by yourself, you don't want to chase the rebound down, so you better make it," he said while laughing. "It's a lot easier to chase it underneath the basket than chase it across the gym."
Hornets coach Byron Scott has been impressed by what he's seen from Andersen - to a point. "He's looked pretty good, but we've only really had two full practices," Scott said before Sunday's game. "We'll get another one Thursday or Friday … But he's looked relatively pretty good."
It's obvious that Scott wants to avoid throwing Andersen into the fire without more time on the practice court - Andersen dressed on Sunday and Monday but did not play, even with the Hornets short-handed following the absence of David West. When asked before Sunday's game what he envisioned Andersen's role might be in the stretch run, Scott bluntly admitted, "I don't know. We've got to wait and see."
Andersen is humble enough to realize the team can afford for Scott to take his time. "Basically, the team is where they're at because of what they've accomplished [without me] thus far," said Andersen. "I'm just here to give relief to anybody who might get hurt or injured. … But I mean, they're doing a great job. They just need me to make the bench a little bit deeper, so I'll play that role. Until my name is called, that's what I'll do."
Eventually, though, the Hornets' depth will be tested, especially if David West remains sidelined much longer. After all, the margin for error in the Western Conference is virtually non-existent. "It's crazy because any loss could put you in the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth place, so you definitely have to stay sharp and stay tuned on the floor," said Andersen. "It's a dramatic change from whenever I was here two years ago."
Andersen's memory of how things used to be helps him appreciate just how far teammate Chris Paul has come since they last shared a locker room during Paul's rookie year in 2005. "I think he is the top point in the league, mainly from his stats," said Andersen. "He's definitely evolved into an MVP. If he doesn't get it, then it wouldn't be right [given] everything he's accomplished and done for this team."
It's been over two years since Andersen has taken a pass from Paul in an actual game, but simply getting to where he is today - back in uniform and ready to resume a career that many had assumed had permanently derailed - he's accomplished a great deal, as well.
About the Author: MATT WATSON
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Matt Watson has covered the NBA for HOOPSWORLD for one year, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and HOOPSWORLD Magazine.
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