Hoops

Andersen set to play for Atlanta

A couple of quotes from an article about Andersen on the NBL site:

"I'll be with Barcelona after the completion of the Olympic Games," he said.

"If Atlanta comes to the plate, I do have NBA out-clauses with my contract and I could go there after my first or second year."

This suggests he wouldn't be able to go to Atlanta for a year or two.

There is also the problem of Atlanta being able to pay him enough. I'm not sure what limitations there are for signing 2nd round picks to contracts (Anderson was taken 2nd round) especially when 6 years have elapsed since Andersen was drafted.

Anybody know?

Good to see another Aussie poised to play in the NBA. If Atlanta sign him, it will be interesting to see how much for as that will tell us if they see him as a key player or not.

They already have a centre in Zaza Pachulia, who was quickly relegated to the bench last year by Horford, who is rapidly becoming a gun player.

So Andersen will have two challenges if he wants to start: prove he is better than Zaza and then convince Woodson (coach) that they are a better balanced team with Horford at PF, Smith SF and Marvin Williams (2nd pick in 2005) coming off the bench.

Not sure that he will force Marv out of the starting line-up, but he has every chance of leap frogging Zaza to become the #1 centre for the team.

Can't see him being more than a role player, but I think if he is able to play good positional defence, box out and nail the mid range jumpers he gets, Atlanta will be very happy with his contribution.

I like the fact he is asking for big money. He wants proof of Atlanta making an investment and not pulling a 76ers on Bradtke type deal, where they sign a guy to use strictly as a bench warmer and in training for the big guys in the squad.

He's in a win win coz either he goes to the show with good coin and a guaranteed spot in the rotation, or he lives it up in Barcelona, again on good coin.

Good stuff.

Yes he signed with Barcelona (as did Juan Carlos Navarro), but he still has an NBA out clause. He still wants to play NBA and can still do so next season if the right deal for him was arranged with Atlanta.

Andersen's signed with Barcelona for 3 years; no Atlanta for him

Andersen is one of the best big men in Europe on what of the best teams.
Look at the impact other Euro centre's have had in the NBA. Dismissing him as being 'no good' is just plain ignorant.

as we saw last season there were about 8 teams who had a reasonable chance at taking the trophy. This year there wont be that many but still a few teams which could do it. who u guys rekon will finish on top for the on coming season?