Chris Andersen going by new nickname in Memphis

Is Birdman no more? Well, at least the nickname might be.

Grizzlies big man Chris Andersen, who was acquired by the team at the 2016 trade deadline, is apparently going by a new nickname in Memphis. Having been known under the “Birdman” moniker for virtually his entire NBA career, Andersen appears to have embraced a more fitting title for the times: Grizzilla.

Bob Adlhoch of Suns.com shared an amusing lineup card featuring Andersen’s new sobriquet (and accompanying mega-growth) with the Twitterverse ahead of Sunday’s game between the Grizzlies and the Suns:

Chris Andersen going by a new name in Memphis apparently. He's grown a bit, too. #SunsAtGrizzlies pic.twitter.com/NDZ7OuNk9C

— Bob Adlhoch (@badlhoch) March 6, 2016

For Andersen, who went by the “Birdman” corruption “Birdzilla” in his later seasons with the Miami Heat, “Grizzilla” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue quite as well. But seeing as he looks like an actual grizzly bear at this stage of his basketball career, it’s great that he is embracing the double entendre as a member of the Grizzlies.

Nevertheless, since he ascended in Denver as Birdman, was reborn in Miami as Birdman, and won an NBA championship as Birdman, he will always be Birdman to me.

Image Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports