Re: More on Haywood

[jason david jones <jdjones1@midway.uchicago.edu>]

And why was he traded twice?  No use crying over spilt milk.  We aren't
the only team in the league that can mis-judge talent.

Jason David Jones


On Tue, 11 Dec 2001, Berry, Mark  S wrote:

> Last post about this, but this story was in the Washington Post today, so
> I'm not the only one noticing...
> 
> Mark
> 
> Dallas Mavericks Coach Don Nelson, whose team had been dunked on for three
> quarters Saturday night by Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood, said
> the rookie big man was the difference in the outcome, not Michael Jordan's
> fourth-quarter heroics.
> "They have quite a catch in him," Nelson said.
> Don't the Wizards know it.
> Teams have been calling, trying to acquire the 7-footer from North Carolina.
> The Wizards say Haywood, who has already been traded by Cleveland and
> Orlando in his young professional career, is unavailable.
> The Wizards (7-12), who gave up reserve guard Laron Profit and a future
> first-rounder to the Magic for Haywood, find themselves with a player who
> has created a buzz through the league in only seven games. He missed the
> first 12 games with torn ligaments in his left thumb.
> "Brendan is a good anchor back there," Wizards Coach Doug Collins said. "He
> really has a good grasp defensively. He can really jump out on the
> screen-roll and get himself back into the play. The one thing that we'd like
> to be able to do, especially with Brendan, is get him where he can catch the
> ball on the block and be able to make a move, use the jump hook or jump shot
> on the baseline that he does so well.
> "With his growth, hopefully, there will be some point and time where we can
> use him as an offensive weapon, rather than Michael."
> It's been many a year since there has been this much talent and promise in
> the middle for the Washington franchise. Haywood has blocked 10 shots,
> altered several others and has steadily developed a complementary offensive
> game. Haywood scored a season-high 19 points against the Mavericks, 12 on
> dunks.
> "It's a great opportunity for me," said Haywood, who is averaging 8.9
> points, 6.1 rebounds and 25.3 minutes. "I just have to be smart and take
> good shots."
> Haywood will continue playing as a reserve. Beefy starter Jahidi White has
> allowed Collins and his staff to employ a boxing-like strategy. Soften up
> the middle with White early, then finesse it for a lengthy stretch in the
> middle with Haywood and let scorers Richard Hamilton and Jordan deliver the
> knockout blows late.
> In the Wizards' past two victories, White and Haywood have combined for 30
> points, 26 rebounds and 7 blocks.
> "Coach is doing a good job working us both in. He knows what he's doing,"
> said White, who is averaging 17.4 minutes, 4.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and .94
> blocks. "I go out there to start things off and get the physical thing
> going, hustle for rebounds, then Brendan goes out there and gives us a great
> offensive game. Right now, we're meshing together and the whole team is
> starting to come around."
> Jordan, by the way, scrimmaged for the first time in two weeks at practice
> yesterday and had no swelling or soreness in his problematic right knee,
> Collins said.
> "He was moving very well," Collins said. "He was doing a lot of talking and
> when he's talking, you know he feels pretty good."
> There is another offshoot to Haywood's ascension -- fellow rookie Kwame
> Brown has stepped up his game, Collins said. Brown, the first overall pick
> in last summer's draft, has been watching Haywood, picked 20th by Cleveland,
> establish himself almost overnight. That has flipped a switch in Brown, who
> came to the NBA straight from high school while Haywood spent four seasons
> honing his game at North Carolina.
> Brown's growth has come in practice, Collins said, since he has only played
> four minutes the past two games. However, that could change soon -- maybe
> tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.
> "The light has gone on," Collins said of Brown. "Seeing Brendan out there
> playing is a great motivator."
> The excitement about the development of Haywood and Brown is enhanced by the
> potential long-term results. Nearly every team wants to build around a young
> big man and the Wizards have a pair, actually a foursome, Collins points
> out. White and seldom-used Etan Thomas could grow together with Haywood and
> Brown, possibly giving the Wizards a formidable front court for years.
> All have drawn trade interest, particularly Brown. Brown is in the same
> hands-off category as Haywood unless an established or nearly established
> superstar is offered and that might not even be enough, a team official
> said. The Wizards don't seem to be as willing to part with White as they
> were a few weeks ago, either, now that he seems to have found his niche as a
> complement to Haywood.
> "I can always look down the road a little bit and say if we keep getting
> these guys better then they have a chance of being something really special
> for us down the road," Collins said.