The Picture Of Consistency For The Washington Wizards: Brendan Haywood

The Washington Wizards have proven themselves to be inconsistent in the early going of the 2009-2010 season. Despite the turmoil stemming from Gilbert Arenas' recent comments or Antawn Jamison's delayed return, Brendan Haywood has shown himself to be the heart and soul the team lacks as a whole.

But for whatever reason, no one is talking about the man in the middle.

Last season, Haywood was available for just six games. Before that he had to split time with Etan Thomas. He never got the chance to shoulder the load of full-time starter. This season has been a completely different story.

His stats don't jump off the page like Dwight Howard's, but Haywood's importance to the Wizards is undeniable.

Haywood is averaging 10.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game this season. He is 0.2 points off his career best from 2007-2008 and is ahead of his career bests in rebounds and blocks.

Despite the modest totals, he has done more than just pad his own statistics.

In nearly every game this season, the Wizards have struggled to put together long runs of good offense. They go on an eight-point run, and then turn the ball over on a quick shot or bad pass. Haywood has been there to give Washington ample opportunities to compete in games.

So far this season, Haywood has yet to total fewer than seven rebounds in a game and has pulled down five or more offensive rebounds in eight different games. He has also grabbed nine or more rebounds in 11 games this season.

If there was ever a player deserving of some credit for not quitting, it is Haywood.

It would be easy to point to Haywood's poor free throw shooting as a shortcoming for the Wizards, but he is hardly alone in that respect. The team is shooting under 75 percent, which puts them in the bottom third of the league.

The fact is, Haywood has been there every night, playing his heart out when some players seem content in doing just what is expected of them.

Everyone expects Arenas to put up 15 or more shots a game whether he makes any or not. Everyone expects Jamison to total 20 points and 10 rebounds every night, but no one expects Haywood to average a double-double for the season.

A feat that will likely be overlooked because of the focus paid to the "Big Three."

The Wizards have long relied on the reputation of the "Big Three" that really only played together extensively for a little over a season. Haywood has been a rock at center when he has been on the floor

Haywood has experience and an unsung leadership role that is often glossed over because he isn't an explosive scorer or an attention seeker.

He is quietly putting together the best season of his career even though the Washington Wizards can't delegate between attempting to be a defensive team or just running up and down the court trying to outscore everyone. Playoffs or not, Haywood deserves some recognition for the consistency he has displayed over the rough start to the season.