Wizards centers Thomas, Haywood fight againESPN.com news services


WASHINGTON -- No, they can't just get along.

Washington Wizards teammates Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood fought in practice on Friday, according to Washington media reports, and Thomas was suspended for two games.

It's the third time over the past two seasons that the two centers, who have split playing time at the pivot for the Wizards, have traded punches. They fought in the locker room on Nov. 2, and Haywood was suspended for throwing a punch at Thomas last season.



"Bottom line, I'm not putting up with any garbage from Brendan Todd Haywood, but at the same time, I do feel bad and upset with myself for allowing him to bait me."
-- Wizards center Etan Thomas
The team announced the suspension on Friday night, saying only that Thomas had been suspended for conduct detremental to the team, and that it was a team matter that would be handled internally.

The two centers were jostling for position at one end of the court when Haywood elbowed Thomas, the Washington Post reported, citing a source with knowledge of the incident. When play continued at the other end of the floor, Thomas, who thought the elbow was intentional, shouted at Hawyood and threw a punch. The two then traded blows until their teammates broke up the scuffle.

Haywood was not available for comment, the Post reported, and coach Eddie Jordan declined to address the incident.


But Thomas, who recently returned to the team after missing 13 games with an ankle injury, confirmed to the Post and The Washington Times that the fight happened and offered his own version of events.

"I am trying to find my rhythm after missing a month with this ankle injury, trying to put together some decent games, feeling good to be a part of everything that the team is accomplishing, and this cat decides to hit me with a cheap shot during practice and I reacted. I could have turned the other cheek. I guess I didn't," Thomas told the Post.


"Why on earth would he throw an elbow at his own teammate? Save that for Tyson Chandler or Eddy Curry. Kwame Brown would be more than happy to trade blows with him," Thomas told the Times. "I know the difference between an accident and a cheap shot."


Thomas said Haywood was not happy because he played only 21 minutes in the Wizards' 110-83 loss Wednesday to the San Antonio Spurs.

"San Antonio just beat us by what seemed like a hundred but I guess all that matters to him is he didn't get the minutes he thinks he deserves, so he's mad, which results in a displacement of anger," Thomas told the Post. "What does he think, that throwing a cheap shot at me is going to keep him on the floor? Bottom line, I'm not putting up with any garbage from Brendan Todd Haywood, but at the same time, I do feel bad and upset with myself for allowing him to bait me."

Despite the hard feelings and three fights in two years, Thomas said he hoped he and Haywood could put the incident behind them.

"Hopefully he's gotten the message and we can continue this season peacefully," Thomas told the Post. "We can be competitive without being enemies, it just doesn't have to be like this."







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Jared Jeffries amd Cato for Etan!!!!!!!!!

Teams would lineup to get Brendan Haywood, you think the Wizards are going to take Jerome James back in return?

Double figures in ZERO catagories !!!!

He makes 28 mil while JJ make 30 mil. So teams want him but not JJ ?? Lets look at stats and see how close they are in production projected on the same amount of minutes.

Posted by NYKresurrection:

He makes 28 mil while JJ make 30 mil. So teams want him but not JJ ?? Lets look at stats and see how close they are in production projected on the same amount of minutes.

Are you seriously comparing what Haywood does to what James does, am I reading this right?

Haywoods statline 7pts/7rebs/1.3blks in 24 minutes. Thats VERY solid for a backup center in the NBA.

[Edited by - nyk4ever on 02-10-2007 3:50 PM]

My only question is to both of you guys is that is it possible that JJ could produce the same numbers in the same alloted time ??

lol ^^ ok bro i surrender. lol......

The Wizards are probably going to have to trade one of those guys. They hate each other and are just going to continue to go at it. I would not mind geting Thomas. He can be the defensive, shot-blocking PF we need next to Curry. He, however, always seems to be hurt and I am not sure I would give up Frye for him b/c IMHO Frye has more upside.