Brendan Haywood's chatting on ESPN.com at 2 p.m.

almost 3 years ago Mike Prada 17 comments 0 recs |

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brendan has always struck me

as a bright, insightful dude.
this chat however, was not exactly chock full of info.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on May 7, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Not at all.

Krem's Sports Blog

by Matt K. on May 7, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

the wizards biggest need according to Haywood?

A backup power forward.

What does that say about Songalia and Blatche?

Possibly he said that with his eye towards drafting Blake Griffin, but I get the feeling Haywood would love to be paired with a big bruiser type player.

by Johnnie Futbol on May 7, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Yep

I got that “I’m tired of being the only guy over 6’9 out here!” vibe.

by Jheiser3 on May 7, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it says more about Jamison

I think he’s really trying to say that he wants Blake Griffin, but he’d like to avoid a controversy about whether Jamison should shift to the 3 or come off the bench.

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by Jake Whitacre on May 7, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

That line really surprised me

But I do think you’re read is on target. It’s more him saying “Give me another bruiser, someone else who can play defense on this team!”

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

We are so used to looking at the Wizards from our perspective as fans. But Brendan looks at the team from his perspective on the court. And if you are this team’s center, trying to cover for everyone, you want someone helping you defend the fort. Neither Jamison, Songalia or Blatche fill that need in his eyes. While those guys have their own talents, protecting the paint is not high on their lists of skills.

by disgrunted on May 8, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Getting Bigger

Gil talked about their need to get bigger and I hear Brendan echoing that. BH should be the last line of defense, not the ONLY line of defense.

by Jheiser3 on May 8, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

That's a great way to say it.

by disgrunted on May 8, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Politically correct chat... for the most part...

but you guys are reading throuh the lines pretty accurately.

1. “We need a beast to play some serious minutes up front alongside of me.” No disrespect to Darius and Andray but that word does not describe them… much less Antawn.

2. “Young guys don’t look for any sympathy or help from me.” It took me about six years to earn some respect around here and y’all gonna pay your dues.

I think the messaging is on target.

by khrabb on May 7, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Great answers talking about the young guys

“I think the younger players playing on a regular basis will be good for us going into the future. But playing them all of the same time wasn’t the best for us at all times because it left them on the court without any leadership. It’s tough to play in this league as a youngster without leadership or guidance.”

What does that say about Jamison, Butler, James and Tapscott? At the same time, Brendan didn’t give the young guys a pass. Below is a question about Blatche and McGee.

“CL Arlington VA: When you’re back on the court this fall, what can you do to help the younger big guys (Blatche, McGee) with trapping up top but still getting back on their guy in the post, something you’ve gotten quite good at?

“Brendan Haywood: Both those guys have the skill but it come down to being in shape and wanting to do it. It’s nothing I can do to help them, they have to what to do it on their own.”

by antawnjameson on May 7, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

The quote that told me the most was:

If we’re healthy then we will be one the top 4-5 teams in the East. It’s not a question if we will make the playoffs, it’s what seed we are going to be.

Which sounds like Brendan is part of the “Health is our only Kryptonite” Crowd.

by Pryme on May 7, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

I mean

I didn’t expect him to say anything less.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 7, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah...it just

makes the “we need a power forward” comment seem contradictory.

Personally, I think this teams needs more than “everybody healthy” in order to make it past the First Round.

by Pryme on May 7, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

but it’s the job of the fans and the GM to second-guess, to doubt, to wonder what will get the team over the hump. The players SHOULD have confidence and be optimistic – they have little to no control over the composition of the team (except for the rare case of the franchise player who forces changes – but that’s never a good thing).

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on May 7, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions