Haywood Returns, Makes Instant Impact

by Jake Whitacre on Apr 1, 2009 11:31 PM EDT in Recaps

In 24 minutes tonight, Brendan Haywood had 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Not earth-shattering numbers, but Haywood has never been a guy that filled up the stat sheet even when he was healthy, but he's always made an impact with this team. It's fitting that in his first game back that he led the team in +/- with a +13.

When he was on the team everyone else was anticipating screens much better and contesting more three pointers because Haywood is such a tremendous communicator on the floor. And even though you could tell he was still shaking off the rust, his on the ball defense led to three blocks and the alterations of several other shots inside.

It's been a while since he's been on the court and it will be a little while longer until he's back to 100%, but even in this reduced state Haywood showed why he's such an important part of this team.

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It's crazy how much better he makes us

After spending like 70 games now watching Songaila, Blatche, Javale, and Etan struggle to defend not just the Dwight Howards and Yao Mings of the league, but even the Andrew Boguts and David Lees, it’ll be nice to have someone who can at the very least competently defend any post player in the league. I think it’s also important for us not to overlook his offensive contributions; even though he only averaged about ten or twelve points per game, he was a legitimate back to the basket scorer who got his points extremely efficiently (last year’s 58% true shooting percentage would lead the team this year). I’m kind of worried about his touch being effected by his wrist injury, and he didn’t score much today, but it’s probably just rust.

by pantslessyoda1 on Apr 2, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

No offense to Jamison but

As long as Jamison plays PF, Washington’s center is going to have to play defense for two positions (assuming Dominic McGuire comes off the bench next season). I mean Jamison is very versatile, but he doesn’t intimidate with his shot-blocking abilities.

by GvP on Apr 2, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

With Arenas and Haywood

You have the one-two offense defense punch to avoid the “flatspots” and the defensive let-downs in late game situations, and I wonder if we will be able to see the full roster before this season is said and done.

After tonight’s game though, I really think the Wizards are going to need to draft a guy up-front. I know JaVale McGee is still a rookie, but when he fouled Hammad Haddadi, no disrespect to Haddadi, but, I mean, I just gave up on McGee for the night. Less than three minutes played and three fouls?

by GvP on Apr 2, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

Oops

Hamed Haddadi, my apologies :).

by GvP on Apr 2, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Haywood playing tonight?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on Apr 2, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

what could be better...

than seeing Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Haywood and (insert 5th player here) on the court together tonight against the Cavs?

by Johnnie Futbol on Apr 2, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Winning the game

and maybe seeing Mike Brown get tossed again.

Krem's Sports Blog

by Matt K. on Apr 2, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

That would be better than anything else I can think of

Heck, Gil could announce he’s not playing for the rest of season because he wants to go out on a high note and I wouldn’t even care if it meant a win tonight.

by pantslessyoda1 on Apr 2, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions