I don't think anyone was hurt in the fight, at least not as badly as the last time they tangled, and Haywood pulled a couple of Thomas's dreadlocks out. Tell you what, though ... no poet has been that eager to kick ass since the WWF days of Leaping Lanny Poffo. From the Washington Post:

"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 said. "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."

Something about Etan Thomas using Haywood's middle name just cracks me up. Anytime I refer to Haywood now (which, granted, is extremely rare), he will be Brendan Todd Haywood.

Unfortunately, the DC Sports Bog doesn't appear to operate on Saturdays, but perhaps on Monday, he'll have some details on this. Perhaps there's even video, given the Wizards proclivity for recording practice-time hijinx.

Wizards Suspend Thomas for Fight [Washington Post]
Etan Thomas Has Got Your Peace RIGHT HERE [Deadspin]
DeShawn Stevenson Doesn't Care About His Money [Deadspin]

The deal: Thomas was angry about comments from Haywood's agent about Thomas, who recently "won" the starting job over Haywood. Thomas threw a punch, and Haywood "responded to the punch by body-slamming Thomas to the ground, tearing out at least two of Thomas' dreadlocks in the process." It's actually the second fight between the two; Haywood was suspended a game last year for another fight with Thomas.

We'll say this: We're not the least bit surprised Brendan Haywood is a hair-puller.

Centers Thomas, Haywood Reportedly In Recent Fight [Washington Post]
Etan Thomas, Brendon Haywood Set Record For Wussiest Fight Ever Between Two NBA Centers [No One Appreciates Me]

But whatever your thoughts on Thomas' politics, one has to admire not only his outspokenness, but also ... his poetry. Yep, Thomas has published a book of poetry, and it's full of all kinds of great stuff. Our favorite:

Now I look upon my culture,
I see ballers, sure I do
Hard corers in Haute Couture, in furs
Enough to make my ancestry - stir

My brothers among me,
Kwame a black walnut tree,
Lorenzo in his Benzo, give Stevie Blake his Vitamin D
Gheorghe, the Great White Way,
My endocrine Giant is dying on the parquet

My soldier in hardwood war, Haywood
I ask: What sound is made from the clapping of one small hand?
A heart bigger that the prostate gland
of Abe
Honest, Master Pollin, an ego so kingly swollen, let me go,
Because the Foggy Bottom Metro is still an underground railroad

Honestly? That s the best poem about Abe Pollin s prostate we ve ever read.

Etan Thomas Rises To The Occasion [Edge Of Sports]
More Than An Athlete: Poems By Etan Thomas [Amazon]