Took a look at the NBA's All-Star ballot yesterday and I have to admit that right now the absence of Brendan Haywood's name from that list - going strictly off what he's done so far - is far and away the most glaring omission.

No, I don't think anyone suspected Haywood to be playing as well as he's playing right now - his five double-doubles are just two shy of the seven he posted last season - in fact, a lot of people probably thought that "Brenda" wouldn't even be here in Washington at the start of the season.

But Haywood has taken advantage of the unfortunate circumstances concerning Etan Thomas' heart surgery and made the most of him. In fact, it's safe to say that Brenda these days is playing a whole lot more like Brutus, which is a good thing.

Haywood has been on the ballot before and hasn't performed, which is probably why the folks who draw up the ballots passed on putting his name on it.

With a double-double tonight, Haywood will notch his second string of three straight double-doubles this season, after not recording three consecutive games with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in his first six professional seasons.

That long-running beef between Haywood and Wizards coach Eddie Jordan last season? Remember that? Well, if Brendan keeps going at teams the way he has through six games you'll see nothing but love between the two.

--- John Mitchell