Chris Andersen -- better known as The Birdman -- has a long way to grow before gaining the beard notoriety of The Hangover actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis, but I think he can pull it off (albeit in a light shade). In August, on occasion of his basketball camp in Denver, Andersen revealed to the Denver Post he would not be shaving his beard until his wedding in June 2010. Andersen even quipped that he was "the grizzly bird," which makes no sense until you really meditate on it.
Training camps by themselves provide a fresh start for every NBA team, but sometimes, players feel the need to take things to a more personal level to cleanse themselves of the previous season.
This was certainly the case for Allen Iverson, who has gone back to his trademark braids after a year where he was traded to the Pistons, and was unceremoniously used as one of the scapegoats for his new (now old) team's horrific downward spiral.
LAS VEGAS -- Before his first NBA game, Memphis center Hasheem Thabeet wanted a modest haircut before hitting the floor at Cox Pavilion. The result was a rather disturbing looking Fro-Hawk and Thabeet was relegated to playing with the landing-strip hairstyle during the Grizzlies' 86-57 win over Oklahoma City.
Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 center, finished with nine points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. He made three of four shots and picked up a blocked shot and steal.
"Today, after I got my ankle taped, the barber was there and I was like 'Can I get a cut too?' and I just wanted a little trim and I got up, went to look at myself in the mirror and I had this," he said. "I didn't have time to go get it fixed. So I had to come [play], so I guess it's a rookie thing. I am OK. I will go get it fixed."
As if seeing him in green and white wasn't jarring enough, Rasheed Wallace showed up to his introductory press conference Thursday rocking cornrows. Considering how many players have given up the look in the last 12 months -- Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Ben Wallace stand out -- his new haircut already feels retro.
Of course, old school is just his style, from his trademark Air Force 1's, ratty workout clothes and dirty 13-year-old Ford Bronco that he still drives to games. And as he explained on Thursday, it was Boston's old school dedication to defense that convinced him to sign.
There are some oddly interesting parallels between Kobe Bryant and Conan O'Brien; athleticism aside, of course. Both are seen as "rebels" -- to a degree -- and both are now champions (again, to a degree), with both having stepped out of the shadows of their former big men (Shaq/Leno). Or something. Either way, you could see a fantastic difference in Kobe's personality on the "Tonight Show" last night, owing mostly to his legacy being nearly complete. Hand-pounds to the Drs. of Hoop.
Cherry Picking recaps the previous day's NBA playoff action.
That's Ron Artest's new haircut, a "Von Hawk" inspired by a promise made to Von Wafer should the Rockets advance to the second round. Artest wasn't exactly thrilled about honoring the promise, but he delivered.
"I just got a little mohawk, a little Von Hawk with a little splash of Rockets," Artest said. "I thought it would be fun. When I first was traded, I put the Rockets' logo on it. Everybody liked it, so I did it again. I kept my word with Von. I didn't renege."
[...] "Now we can trust him," Wafer said. "He can play."
Why are we talking about Ron Artest's hair? There were two compelling basketball games on Monday night; this is the most important thing I can come up with? Fair point. But I'd argue that Artest's hair represents more than a barber with too much time on his hands -- it's also a peek inside the playful camaraderie this team has created.
Today was no different, except Shaq wasn't in control. No sir, it was his Suns teammate (allegedly) Lou Amundson turning the tables on the Big Aristotle when he filled his car/van with pink styrofoam poppy things. Hilarity ensues, after the jump.
If there was every any doubt that Allen Iverson's trademark cornrows were iconic (as opposed to Brad Miller's cornrows, which were ironic), consider that this is now our third post (ahem: first and second) about his haircut.
Just like Carmelo Anthony did a few months earlier, AI turned the shearing of his mane into a viral video with corporate sponsorship. Sign of the times, I suppose. Next up: Ben Wallace shaves his head, brought to you by Starbury shoes! (via TrueHoop)
FanHouse has always had an unnatural curiosity about NBA haircuts, but as you can see, we weren't the only ones whose jaws dropped to the ground when a freshly-shorn Allen Iverson showed up to Phoenix without his trademark braids. More reaction from around the blogosphere after the jump.
NBA FanHouse walks through the Valley of the Most Likely; we shall fear no topic.
Training camps by themselves provide a fresh start for every 
LAS VEGAS -- Before his first NBA game, Memphis center 
As if seeing him in green and white wasn't jarring enough, 
Shaquille O'Neal
