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Chris Andersen cites loyalty as reason for staying with Heat

Troy Taormina / USA TODAY Sports

It was neither animus or resentful, but the wording used by Chris Andersen to explain his decision in re-upping with the Miami Heat will most certainly resonate with fans of the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

"It was definitely the loyalty from the fans and from the team," Andersen said Saturday via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "That had a big part of it. And it's matter of me ending my career in a place that I'd be happy at and am familiar with."

The word loyalty, which just so happens to be tattooed on LeBron James' rib cage, wasn't a shot at his former teammate, however. 

It's just the opposite for the one they call Birdman. 

"He's a great guy," Andersen explained. "He's going to be highly missed. We really loved him as a teammate. He's a good person. He got a big heart. But we've still got to play ball, regardless."

Andersen reportedly turned down the opportunity to join LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent.

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