Inside Dish - March 18, 2010

Brendan Haywood
Born: 11/27/1979
Position: Center
College: North Carolina
Drafted:  20th Pick in 2001 by Cleveland Cavaliers
Height: 7' 0"
Weight: 263
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.

Q: How do you like Dallas so far?
A: Oh, it's been pretty good. The team has been winning. Everyone has been playing well. Everyone has had a part in our success, so it has been great.

Q: So the transition from Washington to here has been good for you?
A: It was tough in D.C. because we were not playing up to the potential that we thought we would before the season started. So to go from that situation to here is great for me. Having DeShawn (Stevenson) and Caron (Butler) here has made the transition a lot easier for me.  Coach (Rick) Carlisle has been great. He is a great X's and O's guy and a no-nonsense coach. As long as I go out there and execute on both ends of the floor and take advantage of my opportunities, things will be great. 

Q: What do you miss most about Washington, D.C.?
A: The hardest thing is leaving behind a lot of friends and a lot of people in the Washington organization that I really like. It was my life for 9 years.

Q: Can you believe that you have already been in the NBA for 9 years?
A: I know...time really does fly. Seems just like yesterday I was coming into the league and getting my first taste of the NBA life. But it really has been nine years and I have enjoyed all of them.

Q: How many other players on your college teams have made it into the NBA?
A: Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Shammond Williams, Joe Forte...there are (North) Carolina guys everywhere around the league.  If you play at UNC (University of North Carolina) you are not just representing yourself, you are representing the program. There have been a lot of guys over the years in the league from UNC.

Q: Do you keep in contact with any of your college teammates?
A: Yeah, obviously I keep in contact with Antawn (Jamison). We played on the same team in Washington. But other guys too that I didn't play with I keep in touch with around the league from UNC. Sean May is a very good friend of mine; Jawad Williams in Cleveland. Some of the others guys that I keep in contact with didn't make it into the NBA but play overseas. Kris Lang and Adam Boone are guys that I am especially tight with.

Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: I started playing basketball seriously in the 9th grade.

Q: Were you always tall for your age?
A: I was always one of the tallest kids in my class, but no one really forced me towards basketball. I started watching it on television a lot around that time. I really enjoyed watching Patrick Ewing and John Starks play the game. Magic Johnson really made me want to start playing more. I like the Lakers, and watching them play made me go out and play more.

Q: Do you remember the first time that you dunked a basketball?
A: Yeah, I really do. It was my sophomore year in open gym. I just went up for a rebound and caught it off the rim and slammed it home. I surprised myself because up to that point I was very awkward. I wasn't exactly fluid on the court.

Q: When was the first time that you dunked a basketball in a game?
A: I don't even remember.

Q: Do you remember your first basket that you scored in the NBA?
A: I don't remember that either.

Q: Do you come from a big family?
A: Nope, just me. I am an only child.

Q: How do you like playing with Dirk Nowitzki?
A: Love it. He's a future Hall of Famer. He stretches the court for his teammates. I don't know anyone that wouldn't like playing with him.

Q: I heard you are a frugal guy...is that true?
A: Everyone knows that I am penny smart - even my bank. Last week I went to the ATM because I needed some cash. The machine kept my card. I guess it thought there was no way it was me trying to get money.  It must have been like, 'No way is Brendan withdrawing this much cash!'  No, really I think it comes from growing up and paying attention to what is going on around you.  I saw what financial mistakes can do to a family and what kinds of situations it can put everyone in. I think I have a responsibility to myself and family to be reasonable with my money. You can splurge and have some nice things, but it doesn't mean go crazy and indulge in everything.

Q: What books are on your night stand?
A: You know what?  I am more of a magazine guy. I read anything from Sports Illustrated to Men's Health to GQ. I like all types of magazines.

Q: What music do you listen to on your iPod?
A: I go all over the place with my music. I go from TI, Jay-Z and Dre to Cold Play, Rihanna and Ashanti. I like a lot of different styles of music. Gospel. I have everything on there.

Q: What was your favorite movie as a kid?
A: "Coming to America" with Eddie Murphy.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: Oh, favorite movie of ALL TIME? Wow, that's tough...there are so many genres! I guess I will go with "Usual Suspects".

Q: Who plays you in the made-for-TV movie?
A:  Derek Luke.  He is the guy from Friday Night Lights that plays Boogie Miles. He also played in Biker Boyz. People have said this to me before...I didn't see the movie but when I had a real close cut and he was bald in that movie, a lot of people said I looked like him.

Q: What is your favorite television show?
A: Is SportsCenter a TV show? SportsCenter then.

Q: What is your favorite website?
A: Hoops Hype.

Q: Why do you wear the number 33?  Have you always worn that number?
A: I wear that number because I liked Patrick Ewing. I haven't always worn that number because when I went to Carolina, Antawn Jamison was 33, so for sure I wasn't getting his number. And in high school I wore double zero because it was the largest jersey that we had and the only one that fit me. So I just wore double zero in college also. When I came into the league, I was 3 at first because I liked Patrick Ewing and John Starks equally. Then I switched numbers and went with 33 finally.

Q: You are planning a fantasy dinner for a table of 6...who are your five guests?
A: Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama...who else?  I want to go all over the place.  Let's come back to it for the rest.  Okay, two more...since I have the big guys out of the way, I am going to have to go with Beyonce and Halle Berry.  Jay-Z isn't invited. He is outside waiting in the car.

Q: Who is the most famous person that you have met in person?
A: Well, I guess it doesn't get more famous than Michael Jordan, does it? Well then Michael Jordan. We played on the same team for two years in Washington.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Dallas?
A: I haven't really been around that much, but I do like Ocean Prime.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the NBA?
A: Ruth's Chris. No matter where you go they have one in every city. Plus, the food is always great.

Q: What is your favorite city to visit?
A: Los Angeles.

Q: What is your favorite hotel to stay in?
A:  The new Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte. It is the best Ritz in the nation.

Q: What food do you have in your refrigerator right now?
A: None really. I have leftovers from the Dallas Mavericks lunch yesterday and two bottles of water. I have to go to Whole Foods after I leave here. 

Q: Do you eat fast food?
A: No.

Q: What is your favorite late night snack?
A: Fruit.

Q: What is your favorite pop or soda?
A: I call it soda and no, I don't drink soda.

Q: Boxers or briefs?
A: Both.

Q: What is your favorite toothpaste?
A: Sensodyne.

Q: What is your favorite non-basketball shoe?
A: Gucci Sneakers.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on your day off?
A: Play Madden.

Q: Last question....What will be your next career after your basketball playing days?
A: I will be announcing basketball games or something involving media around basketball.