HoopsHype.com Rumors

Andersen played a critical reserve role in playoff runs with the Nuggets, most notably in the trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. In his 11th season, he doesn’t know how much longer he wants to play. He’ll know whenever his activity runs empty, Andersen guesses. “I ain’t no anchor, man,” Andersen said with a laugh. “These are all veteran guys and they know what they’re doing. I’m just thrilled to be here and being part of the defending champions and having an opportunity to win this again with this group of guys. It’s amazing to be in that situation, not taking anything for granted and staying on what I’m doing. “It’s real special to me, real unbelievable getting the opportunity to win a championship.” RealGM

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Three things that people don't know about some other Heat teammates? Ray Allen: "Dwyane doesn't eat any vegetables, no greens, no salad, no nothing. Chris Andersen , it is all one tattoo, believe it or not. Mario Chalmers and I grew up together. I've known him since he was a little kid. Our fathers served in the military together." Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, Chris Andersen 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Asked Chris Andersen -- or "Bird," as he prefers -- if he studies players for his shot-blocking. "Just instinct, man." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Joseph Goodman: A reporter from Spain just tried to give Birdman a bag of birdseed. Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr

Miami Heat, Media, Chris Andersen 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Chris Andersen reiterated that the foot injury wasn't anything significant. Team was just taking precaution w walking boot. Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Injuries, Chris Andersen 

Rashard Lewis, who made All-Star debut in 2005, was funny on Chris Andersen's disastrous dunk contest that year: The "Birdman,'' then with New Orleans, missed nine dunks on his first attempt at the dunk contest in 2005 in Denver and took about three minutes before he finally made a dunk. Andersen had been trying to throw the ball from halfcourt and catch it after a bounce for a dunk. “I remember like it was yesterday,’’ said Lewis, then with Seattle and now Andersen's teammate in Houston. “He missed like 30 dunks and kept going over and over,’’ Lewis said. “That’s why they put the time limit on it. It was the Birdman Rule… you knew he was going to try to do something spectacular but after a while it was like, ‘Man, just make a dunk already. We’re getting tired. Let’s move on.’’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis, Chris Andersen, All-Star 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Chris Andersen will use the break to pick up some clothes at his TX house. "So I don't need to keep wearing the same clothes over and over." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

The Miami Heat have signed Chris Andersen for the remainder of the season. Andersen was previously on 10-day contracts with the Heat. RealGM

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Benjamin Hochman: Chris Andersen signing w Miami for remainder of season, his agent said. Very cool for the Birdman. Twitter @nuggetsnews

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Brian Windhorst: The Heat announced they've signed Chris Andersen for rest of season. They now have full roster of 15 guaranteed contracts. Twitter @WindhorstESPN

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

But the thing that has intrigued Spoelstra the most is what he calls the "vertical spacing" that Andersen brings. The idea: Throw the ball up in the air and let Andersen catch it for an easy bucket. Bosh is usually out on the perimeter. Haslem doesn't have the legs or the height to pull that off consistently. Anthony doesn't have the hands to make it worthwhile. But Andersen has that promise. At Wednesday's shootaround, Spoelstra as well as James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and even Ray Allen drilled the lob pass to Andersen over and over. It's what Spoelstra fears the most when playing against athletic big men like Tyson Chandler and Dwight Howard. Now, he's trying it out with Andersen. “We haven’t had that element before other than Dwyane and LeBron in the fast break," Spoelstra said. "Guys are starting to see it now, but the play is there." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Chris Andersen is not your usual NBA player. Neither is his offseason conditioning regimen. What was his secret to staying in shape after nine months away from the game? Fried rice. Seriously. "It was mainly my future mother-in-law’s fried rice," Andersen said after Wednesday morning's shootaround. "Listen, I’m telling you. She’s from Taiwan. She makes some legit fried rice. It’s not like the fried rice you can pick up from P.F. Chang’s or something like that. This is legitimate, healthy ..." And then a long pause. "Man, it’s awesome." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Tom Haberstroh: Spoelstra just called Chris Andersen 'Bird.' He swore he wouldn't call anyone by their nickname. "For some reason, he's different." Twitter @tomhaberstroh

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

Spoelstra has left little doubt about the Heat wanting to sign center Chris Andersen for the remainder of the season after his second 10-day contract expires Friday. "We made this transaction early enough that we'll have plenty of time to get him in shape," Spoelstra said of bringing Andersen in Jan. 20 for his first 10-day deal. "But it will take some time. We'll be patient." FOXSports Florida

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

And the pick-up games are not for the faint of heart. “Every day, it’s going to be bloodshed,” Jones likes to say. Most recently, Chris Andersen gave Dexter Pittman a bloody nose. It happened during pregame court time before Wednesday’s 105-85 victory against the Nets. “I was coming across the baseline and he didn’t see me, and he popped me with the back of his hand,” Pittman said. “Me and him are physical guys, so I kind of got him back a little, too, later on in the series; but he didn’t bleed.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen, Dexter Pittman 

Early in his career, Anthony idolized Andersen and remembers fondly the battles the two players had when Andersen played for Denver. “He’s a great addition to our team, someone that is proven to be a good defender, a good rebounder, a shot blocker, and I see him as someone who did a lot of things that I looked up to when I was coming in,” Anthony said. “So, in terms of us doing a lot of the same things, I think we can find a way to have that work. We’ve done it in the past. Last year, you know, we had Ronny on the team, and it was something that was still able to work.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Chris Andersen 

Chris Andersen is still working to get his wind. The Heat made moves to extend the stays of both of the backup big men on Monday, signing Varnado for the remainder of the season and giving Andersen a second 10-day contract. “It’s been a long, long, long journey for me, man,” Varnado said. “But I never got discouraged. And I knew I was going to be in the NBA one day, it just had to be the right time and place. I’m glad that the team that drafted me, signed me.” Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen, Jarvis Varnado 

Andersen has been participating in the intense 3-on-3 games, at practice and prior to games, with Varnado, Mike Miller, Rashard Lewis, James Jones and Dexter Pittman. And he’s been trying to fit in. “I really felt like I was being more part of the team, the second day I was here, and they brought me on stage to sing Vanilla Ice ‘Ice, Ice, Baby’ unexpected and unprepared,” Andersen said of the Battioke charity event. “I remember the song, but I don’t remember the lyrics, man. I tell you, I could not remember the words, especially when they are right in front of me. I think as soon as I got on stage and embarrassed myself for a cause, they realized what kind of character I am.” Andersen congratulated Varnado on getting signed for the season. “Now it’s on me to do the same thing,” Andersen said. This 10-day contract ends prior to the All-Star break. Regardless of his situation, he plans to spend that break back in Colorado, running mountains. Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen, Jarvis Varnado 

Joseph Goodman: Chris Andersen told me pregame that he's ready to play and just waiting to be called. Doesn't want to disrupt anything, though. Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward/center Chris Andersen to a second 10-day contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Andersen, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on January 20, appeared in one game with Miami totaling two points and two rebounds in four minutes of action. NBA.com

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen