The starting center provided little of anything, save for foul trouble. The backups fared worse, in results and fouls. And the one guy who matched up favorably barely got on the floor. Not that his playing time is always warranted.
So it is for Washington as it searches for answers inside. The endless quest continues — and could last into the offseason.
Sunday, starting center Etan Thomas finished with two points, five rebounds and four fouls. Former starter Brendan Haywood played just over five minutes. And a small lineup featuring power forward Darius Songaila at center resulted in his fouling out.
Meanwhile, Cleveland scored at will inside and had no trouble stopping Washington in the paint. If the Wizards harbor any hopes of winning even one game, they know that must change. Of course, any Wizards fan knows this extendsfurther back than Sunday — much further.
Coach Eddie Jordan said he might play Haywood more in Game 2 on Wednesday.
“Brendan’s been the first big [man] off the bench,” Jordan said. “What he does with that is up to him.” But he also needs more, much more, from Thomas.
“We need him to be more aggressive down there,” Jordan said.
Certainly, this issue will be addressed after the season if the Wizards want to improve. Both players are under contract through the 2009-10 season. One Eastern conference assistant coach said earlier this season that one of them “had to go” via a trade. Haywood and Jordan clashed last season and met over the summer to clear any differences. It’s obvious that Haywood has played himself out of favor: in the last 13 regular-season games, he played nine or fewer minutes seven times.
But Haywood did play well against Cleveland’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas during last year’s playoffs.
The immediate issue, though, is finding one who can be effective down low. The Wizards used a smaller lineup featuring Songaila at center. But the 6-foot-8 Songaila is no match for the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas. At 6-foot-10, Thomas has a similar matchup problem.
“With his height, he can easily reach over and get the tip,” Songaila said. “You play power forwards who are just as strong, but not as long. You can stand your ground, but when he shoots his turnaround, it’s not possible for me to reach it.”
Cast iron
» Forward Caron Butler had his cast removed Monday and will undergo hand therapy for 7-10 days. He will be re-evaluated at that time. However, coach Eddie Jordan said he’s not optimistic. “He is not in our plans right now,” Jordan said. “If we get deeper in the playoffs, possibly, but not in the first round.”
3 Things That Must Change
Better defense
The Wizards can’t let Larry Hughes settle in for his jumper. When he works his game inside-out, Hughes is difficult. They must somehow turn him into strictly a jump shooter.
Better spacing
The Wizards are limited because they have no inside presence and almost no one who can create off the dribble. That leaves Antawn Jamison to hoist off-balance shots in traffic.
Better shooting
DeShawn Stevenson is costing himself money with his late-season poor shooting. He
needs to hit the open jumper and finish better at the rim. It might be asking too much.
— John Keim
