2013 Chris Andersen Is Just Like 2006 Alonzo Mourning

The Miami Heat are a team full of stars Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh sell tickets and run the show but it's always been the role players in Heat history that has allowed them to become champions. Mike Miller, James Posey,Gary Payton, Vershon Leonard have all been guys who throughout Heat history excelled off the bench for the Heat.

Chris Andersen has a tremendous story played basketball at the junior college level, worked hard and eventually made his way to the NBA. If I told you he reminded me of Alonzo Morning though you might think I've been experimenting with hard drugs or something. I'm not talking about prime Alonzo Mourning though. I'm talking about the guy who towards the end of his career had a limited role on the Miami Heat team who captured the 2006 NBA Championship. He was a guy who came off the bench and gave you every last ounce of energy he had and it was infectious. Zo's energy was always known to spark runs by the Heat and I look at Chris Andersen and see the same thing. I see a guy who isn't an All-Star but is a key piece to this years team he gives the Heat a toughness and an edge they didn't have before they got him.

In mid January the Heat were looking for someone who could help them become tougher and help solve their rebounding deficiencies, the heat were the worst team in the league on the boards. Fast forward about 2 months and the Heat go on a historical 27 game winning streak playing the best basketball this franchise has ever seen. During the streak the Birdman had his fair share of contributions but his impact stretches far beyond the statistics. For the first time in the big 3 era the Miami Heat had an enforcer someone who could protect the stars and let the other teams know that they will not be bullied in the paint. He gave the Heat a new layer of confidence they never had before.

Compare what Chris Andersen does for the Heat in 2013 to what Alonzo did in 2006 and you may be surprised in how similar they are. Exclude the fact that Alonzo Mourning was once the franchise player of the Miami Heat and just look at the 2006 version of him. His primary role on that team was to block shots and provide a presence in the middle defensively while giving you everything he had. This became most evident when in game 6 of the NBA Finals as the Mavericks were making a run in the 4^th quarter to force game 7 when Alonzo Mourning seem to block everything in sight. Zo's defense late in the 4^th preserved the win and gave the Miami Heat it's 1^st NBA Title. Zo finished the game with 5 blocks.

Chris Andersen comes off the bench to provide the same things Zo did in 2006. Blocks, Rebounds, energy and a presence in the middle for a predominately small team. So in many ways Andersen is doing the same thing but to a greater extent. When he comes into the game you know it's going to be a show the tattoos, the hair, he is just cut from a different cloth and you got to love that about him.

When looking at the 2006 Alonzo Mourning vs 2013 Chris Andersen statistically you must take into account that Zo averaged 5 minutes more then Birdman. Alonzo's stats are a bit higher in 06 then Andersen's in 2013 but both are great role players who's impact stretches far beyond the box score.

For Birdman playing on this Heat team is a blessing. He is playing with the best players currently in the league and for a guy who worked his tail off to get to the league then got it taken away from him it's a great story. Think about it like this 5 months ago Chris Andersen was out of basketball hunting deer's and hog's in the country. Now he is a critical piece for a Miami Heat team looking to repeat, life's a crazy thing. I said he was like 2006 Alonzo Mourning but he still needs to win a ring for that to be 100% true. 

Video Blog:Charlotte Hornets Are Back

Several days ago Michael Jordan and company made the announcement that the Hornets name will be returning to the Queen city in the 2014-15 season. I recently spoke on this in a video, check it out below.

Larry Johnson 1991-1992 Upperdeck

 The NBA draft is rapidly approaching by the day and I can only begin to wonder about all the different ways my Charlotte Bobcats will screw up whatever pick they get I look at this card for hope. Larry Johnson pictured in the card above was selected 1st overall in the 1991 NBA Draft and would go on to win Rookie of the year honors in 1992. LJ was a franchise changing talent and fresh off a national Championship at UNLV gave the Hornets instant credibility. Although it was before my time I have a deep appreciation for those Muggsy Bouges-Alonzo Mourning-Kendall Gill-Dell Curry and LJ teams of the early to mid 90's it represents a golden era for basketball in my hometown. This picture captures one of the greatest draft picks made by any Charlotte sports team, I can only hope that who ever we draft this year turns out to be what LJ was during his time with the Hornets.

The Top 5 must have College Basketball jerseys of All-Time

March Madness is in full swing and many fans across the country are being outfitted with their favorite retro throwbacks jerseys of all-time. As you know over The course of college basketball history that there are plenty memorable  jerseys with all kinds of color ways and logos to go around. So here are the top 5 must have College Basketball Jerseys of All-Time.

#5 Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse)

It was only one season but the Baltimore Native left his mark on Syracuse University leading them to a National Championship in 2003 before being drafted to the Denver Nuggets. The Legacy he left at Syracuse make this jersey a must have for College hoops fans.

#4  Dwyane Wade (Marquette)

Explosive and Exciting are some of the many adjectives that describe the Young D-Wade’s game at Marquette. His aggressive play and Chicago style slashing ability help lead his Alma Mater 2003 to a final four appearance before being drafted to the Miami HEAT. What he did for Marquette along with what he has accomplished in the NBA make this a must have as well

#3 Larry Johnson (UNLV)

As the leader and best player on one of the Best teams of All-Time having “Grandmama’s” College jerseys would be a nice one to have. Plus The Running Rebels culture is unparalleled in College Hoops as I said last throwback Thursday.

#2 Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown)

One of the most feared and respected Defensive Players in basketball history Alonzo Mourning was one of the many reasons for “Hoya Paranoia” among opposing College basketball teams. The consensus 2-time All-American represents the golden era for Georgetown Basketball.

#1 Michael Jordan (UNC)

Jay-z once said “Carolina Blue Kicks/Hottest dude on the block”. When you wore those baby blue shoes you wore a Michael Jordan Jersey with it.

Throwback Thursday: Muggsy Bouges

@MuggsyBogues

Today is thrusday and here at Tru School Sports I have a new segment called “Throwback Thursday” where I look at and reflect on some of the the players, trends, and Arenas back in the day. Today we will look at Former Charlotte Hornets Point guard Muggsy Bouges. Anybody who knows Muggsy knows he beat the odds as the shortest player in NBA history at 5’3,he looked like a skittle running in a Hornets uniform around the atheltic specimans known as NBA players. He was taking by the Washington Bullets with the 12th pick in the 1987 NBA draft. After a season of not cracking the Bullets rotation he was left un protected in the 1988 expansion draft where he would be selected by the expansion Charlotte Hornets where he would be made the starting point guard. He would go on to become the shortest player in NBA history to average a double-double in the 1993-94 season averaging 10.8 points and 10.1 assists. The Hornets would make the playoffs three times in the Muggsy, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning. Muggsy and the hornets never made the NBA finals and won a championship but during his time in the queen city the Hornets were always among the leagues best. He would go on and play the rest of his career with the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors. He lasted 14 years in the league, Not bad for a guy who was too short, not strong enough and had an inconsistent jumpshot. These were the words of many experts and critics of Tyrone Bouges but Muggsy was fearless he wasn’t even afraid to guard the likes of a Michael Jordan or a Patrick ewing. Muggsy even made former Atlanta hawks Shooting guard Steve Smith change his position saying “he made me change my position from a point guard to shooting guard saying I wont play point guard for long”. Muggsy played with heart hustle and unmatched tenacity and his supreme confidence allowed him to be successful to the point where he made a player change his position. Next time you are playing the game of basketball and someone tells you “ your too small” or “your too short” think about Muggsy Bouges and try to emulate his defensive intensity and effort. Muggsy himself even said philosophicly “your never too small to ball”. So Muggsy Bouges i salute you!

Top 5 NBA Snapbacks #1 (Charlotte Hornets)

Call me biased for this one being a queen city native but honestly nothing goes better than teal and purple in my book. I remember my earliest memories of dribbling a basketball of when i was 4 years of age i had that hornets logo on. There are so many special things about this logo let alone the hat. Now if you look at the logo you wlll notice the hornets sporting white basketball shoes with the hornet skin on the bottom.Look at the hands with the Michael Jackson like white gloves dribbling a basketball.The logo lets you know that North carolinas team as about buisnesss,especially if you look at the hornets chest it reads "Charlotte". The logo itself is genius but that teal/purple color way meshes like peanut butter&jelly or cereal&milk. Lets not also forget that while in Charlotte the hornets were among the best teams in the league led by Muggsy bouges,Larry Johnson,Alonzo Mourning,Kendall Gill. All of the aformentioned players gave all 24,042 Charlotte colisiuem reasons to cheer a reason to cheer on a nightly basis in the nba jam era.Although the team never won a championship there outstanding play left its mark on the city and you still see teal and purple roaming the streets of the (704). I have this hat in my closet and rock it on a regular basis although im still a Charlotte bobcats fan my heart still bleads teal and purple. Even rapper kendrick lamar has an affinity for teal and purple when he said "buzzin like charlotte hornets,when that tape dropped" in his hip hop masterpiece "wanna be heard".