With most teams at least ten games into the NBA season, it’s interesting to see how the summer’s top free agent signings are doing. Twelve players signed new deals or extensions for more than $50 million dollars. Gilbert Arenas, Josh Smith, and Monta Ellis are hurt and yet to play.  Baron Davis, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Emeka Okafur, Andrew Bogut, and Corey Maggette are all below their career averages and none are averaging more than seventeen points-per-game. 

 

Then, there’s Andris Biedrins. The 6’11’’ big man from Riga, Latvia signed a 6-yr $62 million extension with Golden State in the off season and has been nothing but money. After dropping 17 points and 16 rebounds on the Clippers in his last, Biedrins is avgg 16.8 ppg and 14.9 rpg. This from a guy avgg 7.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg in 256 career games.

 

Just 22 years old and already in his fifth year, Biedrins was the Warriors first pick (11th overall) in the 2004 draft. Biedrins early career consisted of riding the pine for Mike Montgomery and accumulating quick fouls. In his second year, fans gave him the nickname “The One Minute Man” for not being able to play 60 seconds without picking up a foul.

 

Biedrins got his break when Don Nelson was hired to replace Montgomery in 2006. Nelly immediately made Biedrins his starting center and the big man thrived, leading the league with a .621 shooting percentage. In 2007, averaged 10.5 ppg and 9.8 boards getting “most improved” consideration and the big money deal.

 

Golden State was widely criticized for paying well over market to keep Biedrins. Based on the first ten games of 2008, it looks like the Warriors got off cheap. Biedrins is athletic and still filling out. He has a ton of upside and is a solid community guy that participates in a number of Bay Area charities.

 

Biedrins could be the best big man you haven’t seen or are unfamiliar with. Check him out! He’s fast becoming one of the elite big men in the league.