Bench Mob

It's not easy coming off the bench when you believe in your heart that you are a starter in the NBA. But was obvious from their record (and performance of late) that the Washington Wizards needed a shakeup.

Coach Eddie Jordan said that the team needed to refocus on defense and hustle plays. I agree that the best way to get those two things is to get someone like Michael Ruffin (defense and huslte) and Calvin Booth (hustle) in the starting line-up. But that meant benching Antwan Jamison (no defense) and Brendan Haywood (pseudo defense and little hustle).

I'm not surprised that Jamison and Haywood are upset. I remember quite vividly all those times Jamison beat on my Maryland Terps when he was in North Carolina. And Haywood has been a starter since the infamous Michael Jordan Era.

But look at Haywood's stats. The guy's never cracked an 8-rebound average. How can a seven-footer who averages 20+ minutes not average at least 8 rebounds a game? Even if you tried to argue that "well, the Wizards are too proficient in the scoring department" and because of this there aren't many offensive rebounds for Haywood to grab, he could always make up for it on the defensive end. And anyone who knows basketball knows that good defensive rebounding teams get on the break more, and get easier baskets. Sadly, Haywood's stats to date reek of a lack of hustle (his blocks save him from being a complete defensive liability).


Now check his replacement, Calvin Booth. Booth has done just as much with less minutes. If you were to double them, he would be getting the rebounding numbers you'd expect from a center.

In Jamison's case, I think if he was the old Jamison -the guy who took (and made) creative scoop shots and layups- he'd still be a starter. But he's gotten too comfortable with jumpers and threes, and he really isn't a shooter. He's a scorer. So when a guy who isn't known for slowing opponents down (let alone stoping them) goes from being a dynamic scorer to a so-so shooter, and he plays a power position with no power game, what's a coach to do?

Exactly. Give Ruffin a shot.

Now don't give me wrong; Ruffin will never be the scorer that Jamison is. But sometimes, change is good. It can motivate players to re-think their approach to the game. And the Wizards were due for a kick in the pants.

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