Andris Biedrins News: Pro Sports Daily

Center Biedrins' 'wasted season' is probably over

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March 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Warriors coach Don Nelson couldn't help but deviate from his usual light and humorous interview before Monday night's 135-131 loss to New Orleans. The injury woes have gotten to the point that they're simply not funny anymore. "If it wasn't for the tears," Nelson said, "I guess it would be funny." That comment came following the Warriors' announcement that Andris Biedrins will have surgery to repair a tear in an abdominal muscle today, a procedure that will likely cost the center the rest of the season. The Warriors have already lost Kelenna Azubuike (knee) and Brandan Wright (shoulder) for the season. Biedrins, who is expected to miss four to six weeks, joins a group - Raja Bell (wrist), ..."

Warriors might have lost Biedrins for remainder of season, C suffering from sports hernia

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March 9

Oakland Tribune

"For most NBA teams, Anthony Tolliver, Devean George and Reggie Williams would be small forwards. And not very intimidating ones, as the 6-foot-9, 243-pound Tolliver is the largest of the bunch. But when the huddle broke to start the third quarter, the trio walked onto the court as the Warriors' front line. It almost worked: the quickness advantage, spreading the floor, the outside-in offense. In the end, however, the inside game of the New Orleans Hornets was just too much. The Warriors fell 135-131 after giving up 24 second-chance points and losing the battle of the boards by 21 rebounds to complete an 0-5 trip. With their top two centers out, and starting center Andris Biedrins possibly ..."

Ellis, Biedrins don't travel to Miami

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March 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"A combination of back, ankle and wrist pain kept Monta Ellis out of Saturday's game. The Warriors flew to Miami on Monday night without two of their most important players, having left behind guard Monta Ellis and center Andris Biedrins. The team announced that Biedrins would miss the entire trip with a strained right groin, but it hasn't ruled out the return of Ellis at some point on the five-game roadie. Ellis underwent an MRI exam for a sore back Monday night but results were not available. Before he surprised teammates by missing Saturday's game, Ellis told team sources that more went into his decision than his back. The combination of ankle and knee sprains, added with the back ..."

Golden State Warriors short-handed on road again

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March 2

Oakland Tribune

"The Warriors will be without two starters — guard Monta Ellis and center Andris Biedrins — when they start a five-game road trip tonight in Miami. They will get some help. NBA Development League star Reggie Williams is expected to sign a 10-day contract today. Still, the absence of Ellis and Biedrins will leave the Warriors with eight players in uniform for the 27th time this season. Back pain, which kept Ellis out of the lineup in Saturday's home win over Detroit, prevented him from traveling. Ellis had an MRI on Monday in the Bay Area. His status will be determined after doctors review the results — possibly today. Ellis could join the team at some point on the trip. Biedrins will not ..."

Biedrins must find passion, coach says

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February 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"For the second straight day, Don Nelson called out Andris Biedrins, saying he hides during pick-and-roll plays, misses Stephen Jackson and fears going to the free-throw line, where he shoots 13 percent. "I've bent over backwards with (Biedrins) trying to be positive," Nelson said after Wednesday's practice. "Whatever he's going through, he's not the same player this year as the last couple - or the same player that got him the big contract. Whatever it is, he's got to get the passion back. I can't do that." And ... "Give us something. I mean, rebounding is one part of the game. You need more than that. Good defensive presence. The running skills. Good pick-setting. Good passing. We need a ..."

If you find Andris Biedrins' game, please return it to Warriors

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February 25

Oakland Tribune

"After Tuesday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Warriors coach Don Nelson said he was "tired of not seeing any life" in center Andris Biedrins, adding, "This isn't the first time we haven't seen a light on at home." Nelson didn't back off his comments after Wednesday's practice. "He needs to light his own fire," Nelson said. "We play every other day. You can't light the fire for him every game. So that's up to him. Give us something. "I mean, rebounding is one part of the game. You need more than that. Good defensive presence. The running skills. Good pick-setting. Good passing. We need a lot of things from our (centers) other than rebounding." Nelson said he would give some of Biedrins' ..."

Biedrins still finding range

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January 20

San Francisco Chronicle

"Andris Biedrins takes the term "free throw" literally. His free throws are throws more than shots. He lacks proper technique, rhythm and touch. His "shot" is anything but soft. It's often a line drive, and he almost never gets a bounce. When he's on his game, as he was Monday - 19 rebounds, eight blocks, nine points in a 114-97 victory over Chicago - he's still a menace at the free-throw line. He made one of seven attempts, making him 1-for-14 on the season. That's 7 percent, an embarrassment in CYO, let alone the NBA. "I never had a terrible free-throw shooter before; this is my first encounter," coach Don Nelson said after Tuesday's practice. "I've thought about everything. I've tried ..."

Warriors' Biedrins waves off Rick Barry's tutoring

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January 20

Oakland Tribune

columnist Gary Peterson

"Everyone agrees that Don Nelson brought in a gaggle of free-throw gurus shortly after he returned to the Warriors. Everyone agrees that one of them was a practitioner of the two-hand underhand method who tried to make a convert of center Andris Biedrins. "We brought Rick (Barry) in," Nelson said after practice Tuesday. "It was one of the first things I did when I arrived. He spent at least an hour here with (Biedrins), showed him the technique. I was standing here for the whole hour with him. I really enjoyed it." Biedrins believes it was former Warriors center George Johnson, who adopted Barry's granny shot and pumped up his free-throw percentage to a respectable career mark of .694. ..."

Biedrins rebounds to help short-handed Warriors to easy win over Bulls

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January 19

Contra Costa Times

"The Warriors welcomed back Andris Biedrins on Monday. Not the tentative, bumbling big man they've seen most of this season, but the productive, energetic big man they remember from years past.Biedrins brought with him his contributions of old in a 114-97 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. He finished (4-for-5 shooting). He rebounded (19). And he defended (a career-high eight blocks)."That's the Andris that we miss right there," guard Monta Ellis said. "We knew eventually he was going to get back to that. His presence - rebounding, blocked shots, everything - we needed that and he gave it. He's the reason we won this game."Of course, the Warriors also had to welcome back ..."

Eager for the real Biedrins to show up

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January 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Warriors have reintroduced some plays of old in hopes of finding the Andris Biedrins of old. The center has no 10-point games and one 10-rebound game this season after averaging a double-double in 2008-09. He has averaged 3.7 points and 5.4 rebounds since returning Dec. 28 from a seven-week break with abdomen and groin strains. "People expect me to get to double-double numbers and perform that way, so of course, I put that pressure on myself," Biedrins said. Coach Don Nelson has brought back some plays that will get Biedrins more offensive touches. "It's very important to get him back to his old self," guard C.J. Watson said. "I think his rhythm would get going if we could get him some ..."

Warriors want Biedrins, Turiaf to step up

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January 5

Contra Costa Times

"The Warriors have been looking toward the return of their centers for some time now. And, quite frankly, coach Don Nelson is tired of waiting. The presence of centers Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf has no doubt been noticeable since they returned from their respective injuries recently. But Nelson wants more from them, sooner than later. "Our centers are back now, time for them to step up," Nelson said after Sunday's practice. "It's time now to put the injury behind them and start playing up to their potential. We've given them a few days, a few games. I don't need it to take two weeks to get it done. They need to step up and do it now." In order to facilitate the progress, Nelson ..."

Recovering Biedrins sits one more game

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December 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"Andris Biedrins said he hasn't had a setback in his rehabilitation from a strain in the groin and abdomen region, but the center was unable to make his projected return Saturday against Phoenix. "I need another practice with the team to get our timing right," Biedrins said. "I haven't played in a while, so I need some body contact and some 5-on-5 to be ready. My conditioning is pretty good, but I need to find my timing in the game." Biedrins has increased his scoring and rebounding numbers each of his first five seasons in the league, topping out at 11.9 points and 11.2 rebounds a game in 2008-09. He's averaging six points and 7.3 rebounds in four games this season. During the past week, ..."

Reinforcements on way for Golden State Warriors

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December 22

Contra Costa Times

"The Warriors can see the end of their woeful injury situation, at least the worst of it. Even though centers Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf are still about a "week away or so," according to coach Don Nelson, their presence in practice the past couple days has provided the team a sense of relief. "It was good seeing (Biedrins) get up and run, a little contact," said guard Monta Ellis, who added that he will play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies despite a contusion on his thigh that kept him out of practice Sunday and Monday. "That's a plus for us. That means he's on the way back. Same for Ronny. We need those two big guys. We're short-handed, and that's going to turn our team ..."

Biedrins might be close to returning

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December 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"Amid an interview about the team's injury woes last week, Warriors guard Monta Ellis stopped and had a question of his own. "We miss Andris Biedrins, our best rebounder," Ellis said. "You forgot he was on the team, didn't you?" Biedrins may soon offer a reminder. The 7-footer is going on the team's five-game trip starting Monday in Oklahoma City, likely an indication he's closing in on a return. After averaging 11.2 points and 11.9 rebounds last season, Biedrins has missed 14 games with an abdominal and groin strain sustained in the second half of the Sacramento game Nov. 6. The injury usually takes four to six weeks to heal, and today marks four weeks. The Warriors have been outrebounded ..."

Andris Biedrins evaluated, says he's made some progress

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December 1

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors center Andris Biedrins is at least halfway through an injury that takes up to six weeks to heal, the Warriors announced Monday. Biedrins, who has missed the past 11 games and 12 of the past 13 with strained groin and abdominal muscles, was evaluated before the game. He said he feels better and is making progress. Also Monday, for the first time, the Warriors gave an indication how long Biedrins will be out. A team official said Biedrins' injury is referred to as "osteitis pubis" and that, according to head trainer Tom Abdenour, it's usually a four-to-six week injury. Biedrins is three weeks into that spell. The team will evaluate Biedrins again before it leaves Sunday for a ..."

Warriors Biedrins has made some progress

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December 1

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors center Andris Biedrins is at least halfway through an injury that takes up to six weeks to heal, the Warriors announced Monday. Biedrins, who has missed the past 11 games and 12 of the past 13 with strained groin and abdominal muscles, was evaluated before the game. He said he feels better and is making progress. Also Monday, for the first time, the Warriors gave an indication how long Biedrins will be out. A team official said Biedrins' injury is referred to as "osteitis pubis" and that, according to head trainer Tom Abdenour, it's usually a four-to-six week injury. Biedrins is three weeks into that spell. The team will evaluate Biedrins again before it leaves Sunday for a ..."

Warriors learn that Biedrins could be out for 2 weeks

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November 10

Contra Costa Times

"For the third consecutive game, the entire fourth quarter was garbage time. This time, however, the Warriors were on the positive end. Coming off consecutive embarrassing defeats, the Warriors took it out on the Minnesota Timberwolves, 146-105 on Monday at Oracle Arena. "We needed that in the worst way," guard Anthony Morrow said after totaling 20 points, four assists and four rebounds. "And not just a win, but a great win by a large margin." The Warriors (2-4) certainly needed some good news. The team also learned Monday that Biedrins is suffering from Osteitis Pubis, which is inflammation of the muscles that attach his right groin and abdominal muscles. Biedrins will be re-evaluated on ..."

Center Andris Biedrins aggravates back injury

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November 9

Contra Costa Times

"It appears center Andris Biedrins is going to miss more time. He returned to the lineup Sunday, which probably wasn't a good idea. He played 21 minutes, totaling two points and six rebounds, before leaving the game for good midway through the third quarter. He went to the locker room for treatment and never returned. "He's not doing very well," coach Don Nelson said. "I probably shouldn't have even played him, but we wanted to have another big guy if we possibly could. He couldn't do very much when he was out there, and he has injured himself again. So that was a bad decision on my part." Biedrins sat out Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after tweaking his back in Wednesday's win ..."

Andris Biedrins' injury leaves Warriors short at center

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November 6

Oakland Tribune

"The Warriors may be down two centers as Andris Biedrins, the starter, is questionable for today's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of an ailing back. "It's a little sore," Biedrins said Thursday. "Hopefully I will play, but we'll see (today)." Biedrins' backup, Ronny Turiaf, missed Wednesday's game with a sprained left knee. He did not practice Thursday and is doubtful for today's game. So coach Don Nelson will turn to veteran Mikki Moore as the starting center if Biedrins or Turiaf can't play. The last time Moore started was last season with the Sacramento Kings, on Jan."‰6 at Chicago. Anthony Randolph, whom Nelson said will serve as a backup center, won't start because the ..."

Biedrins ignores rumors, focuses on his game

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October 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Warriors have maintained a certain level of unpredictability the last six years, but, during that span, there have also been a couple of constants. Andris Biedrins is going to be rumored in trade talks, and he's not going to let the scuttlebutt bother him. Biedrins has heard his name in packages that would bring Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire to the Warriors, but the 23-year-old center is still here. Still, stoically producing. "It doesn't bug me at all," Biedrins said. "It will always be like that. You're always going to hear rumors about trades, but you can't think about it every time that your name is mentioned. "You can't get mad." Biedrins redirects that emotion ..."

Biedrins is paying dividends

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March 4

Contra Costa Times

"The six-year, $54 million contract center Andris Biedrins signed in the offseason is looking like a bargain. With his 10-point, 13-rebound effort in the Warriors' 118-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, Biedrins notched his 27th double-double of the season. That matches his total from last season with 22 games remaining. He's also missed six games with injuries. Biedrins is on pace to reach his incentives, which pretty much awards him an extra $1 million if he averages a double-double. After Tuesday, he's averaging 12.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game (last season: 10.5 points, 9.8 rebounds), making him one of 11 players in the league to average a point-rebound ..."

Biedrins eases back into starting lineup

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February 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"As a relative stranger to injuries and their ensuing comebacks, center Andris Biedrins is playing it safe as he works himself back from a sprained left ankle. "If we were in the playoffs, I'd probably play a lot more and maybe I would come back even faster than I did," Biedrins said after his 17-minute stint in a 118-105 loss to the Clippers in Monday's return. "But I just want to make sure I will heal and I'll be 100 percent healthy." Biedrins, who played in all 82 games of the 2006-07 season, missed his only five games of this season after turning his ankle in Phoenix on Feb. 6. The team went 4-1 without him as backup big men Ronny Turiaf and Anthony Randolph played well. Warriors coach ..."

Break gives Biedrins a break

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February 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Andris Biedrins expressed aggravation Sunday over his sprained right ankle but was optimistic that the timing of the injury could allow him to miss only three games because of the All-Star break. "It's frustrating, but it's the kind of thing you can't escape when you come down on someone's foot," Biedrins said, speaking publicly for the first time since landing on Stephen Jackson's foot on the final play of the third quarter in Friday's 115-105 loss at Phoenix. "This probably was a good time for it to happen, because I'll have a couple of extra days to see how I feel." Biedrins limped gingerly into Oracle Arena on Sunday, wearing slippers that made room for a temporary cast on his ankle. ..."

Hearing All-Star talk pleases Warriors' Biedrins

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January 5

Oakland Tribune

"Andris Biedrins has a chance to catch Yao Ming in the fan balloting that determines the Western Conference's starting center for this year's All-Star Game in Phoenix. But that's only if the population of Latvia increases by about a billion or so people during the next three weeks. Otherwise, this season, and every other season that Yao is in the NBA, Biedrins and other centers in the West will likely have to rely on being named a reserve to be included in the annual showcase event. And this year, the 22-year-old Latvian is actually making a pretty good case. Biedrins is averaging 14.2 points and 11.9 rebounds through the Warriors' first 35 games. He has 20 double-doubles, most for any ..."

Biedrins' role getting bigger every season

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September 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"The pick-and-roll between Andris Biedrins and Stephen Jackson is getting a symbolic upgrade this season. Warriors coach Don Nelson named the pair team captains Saturday - a nod to Jackson's leadership and, more importantly, Biedrins' growing responsibilities. "Next year, maybe point guard, too" Biedrins joked. The 22-year-old center, whom Nelson first elevated to captaincy at the end of last season, takes over full-time after signing a huge six-year contract extension this summer. Biedrins was the youngest player ever drafted by the Warriors when he entered the league as an 18-year-old in 2004. The skinny teenager has since grown into Golden State's anchor up front, becoming the only young ..."

Score one for the good guy

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July 29

Contra Costa Times

"Count on Andris Biedrins, the Warriors' starting center, to turn into a diva. Now that he has his lucrative contract signed, expect him to skip practices, blow off his teammates and wear sunglasses indoors. "After this interview," Biedrins proclaimed through the phone, "I'm not talking to (the media) anymore." Yeah, that'll happen. "There is no risk in a situation like this. He's an exemplary guy," said Bill Duffy, Biedrins' agent. "He has the work ethic. He's compliant. He does the dirty work. He's unselfish. These are the guys who should be rewarded." Don't be fooled by Biedrins' humorous prima donna aside. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound center couldn't be a jerk if he tried. Not even being ..."

Biedrins agrees to 6-year contract

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July 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Warriors completed their mission of retaining their top two young players by reaching an agreement with Andris Biedrins on a six-year, $63 million deal Sunday. The Warriors had signed Monta Ellis, 22, on Thursday to a six-year, $67 million deal, and now they have come to terms with Biedrins, 22, avoiding a negotiations competition with some European clubs that showed interest in the 6-foot-11 center. Biedrins flew to the Bay Area on Sunday night, according to his agent Bill Duffy, and plans to sign the contract today. "This shows the Warriors following through on their commitment to Monta and Andris," Duffy said. "Andris is absolutely thrilled." The contract includes an option for ..."

Sources say Biedrins, Warriors agree to 6-year contract

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July 28

ESPN.com

"The Golden State Warriors have moved quickly to prevent Latvian center Andris Biedrins from seriously entertaining interest from deep-pocketed teams in Europe by reaching terms on a lucrative new contract with the restricted free agent. NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that Biedrins was en route to Oakland on Sunday night after agreeing to a new six-year contract with the Warriors worth nearly $63 million. The contract, sources said, will likely be signed Monday and include a player option for Biedrins to return to the free-agent market in the summer of 2013 after completing five seasons. Biedrins is among a growing crop of NBA veterans -- not all European, as evidence by Josh ..."