[Chron] Andersen Can't Dance

rimrocker · Oct 3, 2009

Don't know what that may say about his footwork in the post, but he seems to be a Rockets' kind of guy...

Adjust to NBA? No worries, mate
Andersen’s experience, travel help him to adapt
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6650019.html

David Andersen doesn't dance.

The rookie hazing — though it might seem odd for a 29-year-old veteran of nine professional seasons — will come, particularly when the Rockets hit the road tonight.

“I'm sure I'll get some rookie duty,” he said. “It's a fun thing. You can't look at it like a burden.”

But today, when the Rockets hold their annual “open practice,” he could be ordered to dance.

“I can't dance,” Andersen, 6-11, said. “I'm Australian, man. We don't dance. We sit back, relax and talk.”

In his case, that might be unnecessary. His real rookie hazing comes next. The Rockets' preseason schedule offers a chance to match up against Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard in the span of four days next week.

Welcome to the NBA.
Meet the challenge

“It's like throwing yourself in the deep end to see if you can swim,” Andersen said. “You come out and you know you're going against the best. When you're going against the best, you have to raise your level to their level. We'll see what happens. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be tough.”

In some ways, that schedule will test more than Andersen's ability to defend some of the league's best big men. The Rockets will likely send plenty of help his way, giving them a chance to see if they can still defend as well on the perimeter as they have in the past few years while using some of those defenders to send double-team help.

“It's not all on you,” Andersen said. “You do have to have your teammates to help a little bit. I can use a lot of it until I get used to it.”

Teammate Luis Scola had played eight years professionally, but also needed time to adjust, coming off the bench most of his rookie season, and often struggling early that season with foul trouble while adjusting to NBA rules. As a center, Andersen will more often be in the paint, where more contact is allowed than on the perimeter where Scola had to become accustomed to the NBA rules that prohibit defenders from using their hands.

Still, Andersen and Scola expect growing pains, even if Andersen's experience with changing leagues helps with his latest move.

“It is a little different,” Scola said. “It is different rules, different defensive systems. He will need to do adjusting, but it's not like he played in the same place forever. He's been changing countries and changing leagues and he's been adapting just fine in every situation. Maybe it will take a little while, but he'll be all right.”

“Through four days of practices, Andersen seems to fit in offensively, often working at the high post and bringing a solid outside shot. He has made 50.6 percent of his shots in his professional career, 45 percent of his 3s, averaging 10.5 points per game.

“I think it's going to be easier for him (than other players) offensively,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “He's a skilled offensive player. He can play a lot of different ways. Defensively, it's going to be like everyone else that comes over here. You have to learn what you can do. He's going to struggle like everyone does. Offensively, I don't see him have any trouble at all.”

If the struggles are inevitable, the key could be how quickly he can get past them. Though he will find more similarities with how the games are officiated inside than Scola did on the perimeter, there are differences that will demand time before they come naturally.
Different set of rules

“There are bigger bodies here,” Andersen said. “And the refs … they (allow) one hand and one forearm (on an opposing player's back.) It's all different. You have to adjust your game to a different style. It will take a period of time. There will be highs and lows. There are always highs and lows, even if you've been out there 10 years.”

But Andersen seems more excited than concerned, which could come from being a rookie, with experience.

“Technically, I'm a rookie,” he said. “It's all about experience. From that aspect, I've been around. I've seen a lot of things.”

Still, he might be ordered to dance, anyway.
Click to expand...

RocketRaccoon · Oct 3, 2009

No matter what, every year at this time I get excited about the Rockets. Even if they bring in a non-dancing, sit around and talk, relaxing mate from downunder center.

Its going to be a fun year!

Btw, I bet we'll see a lot more of him in front of the cameras this year. Whoa, can you imagine him, Yao and Scola at a press conference?

Again, it's going to be a fun year!

Serg300 · Oct 3, 2009

Every time I read Andersen’s quote I read them with an Australian accent.

I like his attitude, he’s level headed and knows the team's got his back.

I think with Scold being in the Euro league, can help Andersen adjust. Scold didn’t have that luxury that’s why he had some trouble and look at him now!!!

HPD · Oct 3, 2009

Serg300 said:

Every time I read Andersen’s quote I read them with an Australian accent.
Click to expand...

Serg300 said:

I like his attitude, he’s level headed and knows the team's got his back.

I think with Scold being in the Euro league, can help Andersen adjust. Scold didn’t have that luxury that’s why he had some trouble and look at him now!!!
Click to expand...

haaaaaahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha !! me too

StaticC4 · Oct 3, 2009

Scola can always teach Andersen the tago during the open practice this year

The_Yoyo · Oct 3, 2009

HE CANT DANCE???

Well he's no rocket of mine then

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durvasa · Oct 3, 2009

Serg300 said:

Every time I read Andersen’s quote I read them with an Australian accent.
Click to expand...

lol ... so do I.

Kam · Oct 3, 2009

David Andersen doesn't play baseball, and he also doesn't sing.

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rimrocker · Oct 3, 2009

The_Yoyo said:

HE CANT DANCE???

Well he's no rocket of mine then
Click to expand...

Cut him some slack... he's from down under. Let's just agree we can dress real neat from our hats to our feet.

Rocket4Life11 · Oct 3, 2009

Anderson can't dance....he boogies.

Hayesfan · Oct 3, 2009

Kam said:

David Andersen doesn't play baseball, and he also doesn't sing.
Click to expand...

Oh Kam at least use Getcha Head in the Game...

UTAllTheWay · Oct 3, 2009

I can't dance...

I can't talk...

The only thing about me is the way that I walk.

I can't dance...

I can't sing...

I'm just standing here selling everything.

young truth · Oct 3, 2009

Blue jeans sit on the beach,
Her dog's talkin' to me but she's outta reach.
Oooh she's got a body,
Under that shirt!
Well all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt!

T FOR 3!!! · Oct 3, 2009

the dance was bad!! it went from just being kinda like...oh man, he has no moves. to oh man, i feel sorry for david right now. wer'e talking negative rythm, as in if other people hang out around this guy too much they become worse at dancing. the guy put out a great effort though. i got a high five from him. i like the guy. his arms are pretty big too. bigger than everyone was making him sound for sure. im excited

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[Chron] Andersen Can't Dance

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