Cuban, Mavs still confident in Howard

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The infamous radio interview when he admitted smoking marijuana, the ill-advised birthday party after the Mavericks lost three of their first four playoff games to New Orleans, and the recent attempt to emulate a NASCAR driver, which resulted in an arrest for going 94 mph in a 55-mph speed zone, are lamentable decisions on Josh Howard's part. But the conclusion reached by way too many people is that exercising questionable judgment in his personal life translates to a decline in ability on the basketball court, and that is ridiculous. Howard had the best season of his five-year career in 2007-08. His averages of 19.9 points, seven rebounds and 2.2 assists were career highs. In the first two months of the season, he was so good that Dirk Nowitzki willingly deferred to him. Howard may have had his moments as a space cadet, but he's hardly Darth Vader. "I know a lot of 20-somethings who have made mistakes, myself included," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wrote in an e-mail. "The smart ones learn from the mistakes. Josh is smart. He has learned from all of this, and will continue to learn from it, and use it for motivation on and off the court."

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Josh Howard, AP Josh Howard, AP
August 22, 2008  08:29 AM ET

they are confident in his ability to be a " one handed Holy-Roller " with his non shooting hand.

August 22, 2008  08:29 AM ET

".....the smart ones learn from their mistakes." THE SMART ONES don't get involved in STUPID behavior!

August 22, 2008  08:30 AM ET

Its the off season ... im sure he will be starring in Half Baked 2.

August 22, 2008  08:36 AM ET

I think JHo is pushing it too much especially in one year of troubles. I would think that after the mj issue, JHo would have learned already and would have tried to stay out of trouble. He is in a situation where everymove he makes is magnified. He has a high heal to climb after putting himself into a very deep hole. I won't be surprise if he gets traded soon.

Right now JHo has so much to prove and the Mavs are counting on that. And at the same time his trade value has been going down drastically. JHO needs to build his image back. I think ever since he got that big fat contract last year, he has that mindset that he is set for life and does not need to work so hard anymore. Money changes a person's life so much.

August 22, 2008  09:17 AM ET

"THE SMART ONES don't get involved in STUPID behavior!"

That's simply not true......
EVERYONE makes stupid mistakes
that being said...REPEATED stupid mistakes are inexcusable

From a pure basketball perspective - it's hard to give up on an almost 20pt per game scorer that is (in theory) entering his prime

August 22, 2008  09:39 AM ET

"Cuban, Mavs still confident in Howard"

And Howard will take that confidence and smoke it.

August 22, 2008  11:17 AM ET

Josh Howard needs to be traded for a versatile SF who can pass, or move Dirk to SF. The team is not well balanced. Plus, Kidd has to go.

August 22, 2008  11:20 AM ET

I'm all for 2nd chances. The Mavericks can't do better at this point. Unless Howard can be packaged in a deal for a center, the Mavs need him.

August 22, 2008  12:42 PM ET

He will mature and improve.
And he is still developing, in a few years, when he's matured and what not, he will be a beast.

August 22, 2008  12:45 PM ET

maybe he will kick his drug habit in the offseason.

August 22, 2008  12:46 PM ET

good choice. so what if he smokes pot on the offseason? i bet half of the nba does the same thing. atleast this isnt the nfl where players are going to jail every other weekend. howard is a really good and unselfish player, either they take him or someone else will be more than willing to.....coughsunscough

August 22, 2008  12:53 PM ET

Ummm ... Go Suns ... He was arrested for Drag racing ... he went to jail.

August 22, 2008  12:56 PM ET

Go Suns ... he was arrested for drag racing in North Carolina ... he went to jail.

August 22, 2008  12:56 PM ET

sorry for the double post

August 22, 2008  01:12 PM ET

Players in the NFL go to jail every other weekend because theres about 5x more players in the NFL than NBA... and the police in Lebrons area didn't seem to care when he went over 100 MPH, it was a slap on the wrist for him. Granted no one should be going as fast as either did, but why jail for J-Ho and a small fine for Lebron?

August 22, 2008  01:54 PM ET

i really dont care about josh howard remember when he had a sore back and could barely make a shot for a week till....i think dirk was injured maybe trade him idk but GO GERALD GREEEEN!!!

August 22, 2008  02:25 PM ET

He's a great scorer and rebounder, his defense is a bit overrated but its still good.

August 22, 2008  04:45 PM ET

Personally, I'm confident he'll do someting stupid again.

August 22, 2008  05:57 PM ET

Artest, Howard both in Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas. BIG TROUBLE. Sorry I know that was corny---it's friday and I'm still at work.

 
August 22, 2008  08:36 PM ET

Josh Howard needs to be traded for a versatile SF who can pass, or move Dirk to SF. The team is not well balanced. Plus, Kidd has to go.
Harris | 08/22/08, 11:17 AM Report Offensive Comment

In other words, 'they're done'?

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