MIAMI (AP) — Chris Andersen wore a stars-and-stripes headband Sunday morning, showed off the colorful array of tattoos that stretch from his neck to his ankles and virtually all spots in between, and spoke about himself in the third person.

He’s got 10 days to make an impression on the Miami Heat.

Seems like he’s already off to a good start.

The veteran forward-center signed a 10-day deal with the Heat on Sunday and worked out with his new club for the first time. For a team that’s looking for rebounding help, Andersen — who hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since playing with Denver last March — is hoping that he will be the answer.

“This opportunity and being with the defending champs, it’s a dream come true,” Andersen said. “They’re taking a chance with me and I’m here to give them everything I’ve got, defensively, diving on the floor, blocking shots, you know, the usual that a Birdman does and what Birdman brings.”

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Birdman is the nickname he’s had for years.

The Heat are more than a little curious to find out if he can still fly.

“Typically, you’re not able to get a player of his caliber at this time of year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But three years ago he was the best in the game coming off the bench at his position, as a shotblocker and a rebounder. We’ve always liked him. We had him in our camp a long time ago, when he was just coming up in this league, pre-tattoo, and we liked him back then. Ever since then we’ve searched for ways to get him back.”

The Heat worked Andersen — who has averaged 5.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in 482 NBA games — out earlier this month, around the time they were starting a six-game road swing. They didn’t sign him immediately, but Andersen was doing two-a-day sessions in Miami while the Heat were gone and in essence scouting the way they played from studying their games closely during the trip.

If all goes well, Andersen is expected to make his … [For more on Heat signs Chris 'Birdman' Andersen to 10-day deal, click here.]