Ramsey: Nuggets say Birdman is the word; they better be right

Chris Andersen is a natural showman, but his show isn’t worth $26 million over the next five seasons.

He’s a great distraction for fans who don’t really care about the game going on in front of them. He flaps his arms like a bird and greases his hair like a ’50s rock-and-roll star and, for sure, he’s a blast to watch.

But he’s too one-dimensional to start for the Denver Nuggets. His shooting range ends outside the lane. His post moves remain primitive. And he’s 31, with a few of those years of the ultra-rough variety.

His triumph over substance abuse is an encouraging, heartwarming tale. His life story would make a great movie.

Yet his inflated salary could drain the Nuggets future.

Strange, that the Nuggets would pay Andersen beyond his market value while playing cheapo with guard Dahntay Jones, who skipped away to the Indiana Pacers for a mere $11 million over four seasons.

During the Nuggets sprint through the playoffs, opposing coaches, players and fans constantly griped about Jones.

Hornets coach Byron Scott called Jones “dirty” and insinuated he was “trying to hurt somebody.” Mavericks fans moaned about Jones rough treatment of their heroes.

Lakers superhero Kobe Bryant was the lone griper with a point. Jones had no business tripping Bryant in the Western Conference finals.

The truth was easy to find in the haze of all the complaining. The coaches, players and fans really wished Jones inhabited their roster.

Jones served as the rare basketball soldier who cared about nothing but his limited, no-glamour role. He was on the court to pester the enemy’s best shooter, and he followed this star with the persistence of a stalker. He was relentless.

Yet he was easy to overlook. His contributions didn’t show up in the stat box, and he didn’t dance around like a bird after shutting down opposing stars.

Still, he will be missed.

As Jones travels to Indiana, the Nuggets are shrinking, and that’s not good.

A month ago, the Nuggets seemed poised to become the NBA’s team of tomorrow. They rampaged past the Hornets and Mavericks and put a brief scare into the Lakers. They were hungry, deep and, maybe, destined.

That was before the West began its arms race. The Spurs traded for Richard Jefferson and the Mavs grabbed Shawn Marion and the Lakers welcomed the weird one, Ron Artest.

In the middle of all these additions, all the Nuggets could manage was to wave goodbye to Jones and overpay Andersen.

Andersen could prove himself worthy of his massive raise. He has the ability to soar above the rim. He is, when he’s not falling for pump fakes, a shot-blocking menace.

He can best earn his pay by focusing on the game and dump his Birdman act. It was fun to watch Andersen’s wild ways for a few games, but it’s grown old.

Please, Chris, dump the flapping and keep the hair oil in the bottle.