Like most prodigal sons, I shot home to my parent’s house to see my mom for Mother’s Day this weekend (with a fresh hair cut – double points). Before taking off for the train, I printed out the only memorable ESPN The Magazine article I can remember reading recently, Birdman’s Redemption Bittersweet for his Mother, by Chris Palmer. This is actually my third or fourth time reading this particular piece. It’s really well done.
One look at Birdman, and you can tell this guy has a back story. But unless you check out the Palmer article, which appeared in the mag in May 2008, you probably wouldn’t know about the woman who raised him.
Linda Holubec brought up Chris and his sister herself in poor rural Texas. When they didn’t have enough to eat, she would go out a shoot copperheads and skin them so that the kids wouldn’t go hungry. When Anderson first started screwing up in the league, she drove her Harley in the dead of winter to Denver (having to stop several times with frostbite on her fingers) to move closer to try to help him get back on track. A futile effort, as Anderson was suspended in 2005 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He was too embarrassed to call his mom, who had to hear about it from a friend who saw the news on TV.
In 2008, when Anderson was reinstated and signed with New Orleans, Linda’s reaction was bittersweet at best – as she had not spoken with Chris in three years since before his banning, and the news brought her to tears.
A full year has passed since this story first appeared in print, and little has been printed on Anderson and his mom’s estranged relationship since. The closest thing we have to an indication that Anderson may have got back in touch with his mom is his on-court performance of late. Based on his showing in the 2009 playoffs, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that he’s reunited with his mom, the undisputed most positive influence he’s been fortunate to have in his life. Last night wasn’t his night (only 5 points before efficiently fouling out), but Game One of the Western Conference Semis showed us what Anderson can do coming off the bench – 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks in just 23 minutes.
Prior to Game Two, he came out to address the hoards of kids who showed up with spiky hair and covered in fake tattoos, actually he wanted to address the parents. “Don’t let them get real ones until there 18,” said Anderson, whose mom took him to get his first tattoo when he turned 18.
Despite his lack of production, I’m sure Anderson and the Nuggets woke up on Mother’s Day today riding high off the controversial game-winning three-pointer from Carmelo Anthony that put them up 3-0 and in total control of their seven game series with Dallas. And maybe Anderson was able to look past his dismal Game Three, realize he is one step away from challenging for a trip to the NBA finals, and refocus.
If so, hopefully he’ll reflect on everyone who helped him hit this level of maturity. It’s not just the teammates, coaches, and execs who staked their belief in Birdman enough to give him a second – and third – chance. It’s also those who put in the energy with him when he was insufferable. Even though his mother wasn’t able to affect the change that we’re seeing in Birdman currently, she kept him from bottoming out during those darkest day.
Maybe this is the year that Chris woke up with a new perspective, and he gives her a call.
