PHILADELPHIA -- Brendan Haywood has watched Michael Jordan operate in person for half a season now, witnessing the joyous Michael and the frustrated Michael. However, the Washington Wizards rookie center hasn't incurred the wrath of angry Michael.

Or so he says.

	Wizards center Brendan Haywood is second among rookies in rebounds and blocked shots.

"All I heard was about the rookie haze and how he treats rookies. It hasn't been anything like that," said Haywood, who scored 12 points in the rookie squad's 103-97 win over the sophomores in NBA All-Star Saturday's Rookie Challenge at the First Union Center.

"If he tells me something, he's telling me something," Haywood added. "He's not yelling or cursing or saying anything nasty. He just talks to me like I'm a young man -- because I am."

The 22-year-old must keep playing beyond his years for the Wizards to stay on the playoff track.

Haywood gave the Wizards a much-needed infusion of youth and enthusiasm in the low post after returning from torn ligaments in his right thumb. Missing the first 12 games of the season, the 7-foot, 268-pounder returned to key Washington's surprising 11-4 run in December that included a nine-game winning streak.

During the streak, Haywood registered his career high of 19 points on Dec. 8 against Dallas and his first double-double -- a 17-point, 15-rebound effort on Dec. 11 against Memphis. Eight days later, Haywood set a personal best with seven blocks against Atlanta.

"I think I've come in and sparked this team a little bit, but I have a ways to go to improve," said Haywood, who was taken by Cleveland with the 20th overall pick, then acquired from Orlando. "I want the team to get better, but so for far for the first half of the season, I feel I've played pretty good."

The former North Carolina star has averaged 6.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 24.7 minutes for the 26-21 Wizards. He's become part of Washington's three-headed big man, sharing time with Jahidi White and Popeye Jones in the middle.

His role has become more defensive since his breakout month of December. Still, his presence in the key is exactly what the Wizards need.

"If somebody comes down the lane and you block their shot, that really seems to get the crowd hyped and your teammates hyped," Haywood said. "Your teammates feed off that type of defensive energy."

Haywood has eaten up the advice from Jordan. Just a says he learns something new just about every day from MJ, more about the mental aspect of the game.

"And then just sometimes he'll just show you the little things on how to become a better basketball player, like how to use a screen or something you should do defensively to make you better," Haywood said. "It doesn't seem like much, but at the same time, it elevates your game a little bit."

Haywood ranks second in rebounds and blocks behind Memphis' Pau Gasol among rookies. Wizards coach Doug Collins believes, in time, Haywood's offensive game will blossom.

"The one thing that we'd like to be able to do, especially with Brendan, is get him where he can catch the ball on the block and be able to make a move, use the jump hook or jump shot on the baseline that he does so well," Collins told the Washington Post. "With his growth, hopefully, there will be some point and time where we can use him as an offensive weapon, rather than Michael."

Maybe then Haywood will see the proud Michael.

Joe Lago is an NBA editor for ESPN.com.