Whither Haywood?

Washington Post beat reporter Ivan Carter asks, "What has happened to Brendan Haywood?"

One issue that has popped up recently is the absolute dissapearance of Brendan Haywood. In the last three games, he's missed all seven shots he's taken, grabbed eight boards and blocked not a single shot. He played 11 minutes, 32 seconds last night and wasn't happy about it.

Eddie Jordan said something about Brendan having a head cold after the game but that doesn't smell right. Prediction: don't be shocked if Eddie changes things up and starts either Etan Thomas or Calvin Booth if Brendan continues to struggle. I also wouldn't be shocked if he went "small" and started Darius Songaila at center or at least played him more there, particularly against any opponent with a smaller front line.

Innnn-teresting. No doubt Haywood has disappeared lately and no complaint about playing time can obscure the fact that he hasn't played well. In the time he is playing he isn't playing well, so complaints about playing time should not be credited. Nevertheless, I think it is too early to pull Haywood for Etan or Booth. Neither of those players have lit it up lately, although Etan did show a little something on the road trip.

My view remains unchanged: Brendan Haywood is basically a lazy player who can be a pretty good NBA center when motivated and his a big waste of space when he isn't motivated. He doesn't seem motivated right now. If a benching is what it takes to motivate Haywood, it should be done. Hopefully, though, EJ can get Haywood's attention without benching him. Perhaps limiting Haywood to less than 12 minutes last night was a signal. If it was, Haywood had better be receiving.