<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When Don Nelson took over the Golden State Warriors last summer, the first thing he did was watch film of all the young players on his roster. He liked what he saw in Mike Dunleavy and Monta Ellis, but he was unsure about Andris Biedrins, who had averaged about four points and four rebounds for the Warriors in his first two NBA seasons. Assistant coach Keith Smart ? who worked on the Golden State staff last season and was retained by Nelson ? assured him that Biedrins would be a factor. "Keith told me that Biedrins could play," Nelson said. "He said to be patient with him because he's so young, but that he had soft hands, quick feet and an active, long body. Keith was right." As much as Smart liked Biedrins, it's tough to imagine that he could have expected the 20-year-old Latvian to be this good this fast. Just 15 games into the season, Biedrins has become a force for the Warriors. He's averaging a double-double (11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds), and he is controlling the paint for an otherwise undersized Golden State team. In the Warriors' last three games ? which include victories over Utah and San Antonio ? Beidrins is averaging 21 points, 14 boards and four blocks. Biedrins is a big reason why Golden State is off to a surprising 9-6 start. And he's also No. 1 on my list of the biggest surprises of the young season. </div> Source
Just realized AnimeFanatic already posted this. The guy is quick just like all his waiver wire moves in the fantasy league.
Aside from the foul trouble and lack of strength, I think many of us thought he would be good eventually. He got a double double in his first start and when he actually stayed out of foul trouble, he was effective defensiveman and was pretty good at the intangibles like putbacks/offensive rebounds and high % plays. He picks up a lot of the things that Foyle would otherwise drop or be unable to do at this stage in his career. And unlike Dampier, he's motivated to be like his idols like Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett. Two fundamentally sound players that play big (and often quietly). Biedrins actually has some nice set of skills this year. If he did not practice, he would probably be another raw Stromile Swift or Samuel Dalembert. Guys that could have been better with their set of physical tools.
