Josh Howard's Latest Antics - Is He Worth the Trouble?
Just when I thought Josh Howard couldn't bring any more shame to the Dallas Mavericks and their fans, he proves me wrong. While J-Ho should be laying low, he's instead stirring up more useless controversy.
It all started when Josh Howard brought unexpected and possibly unprecedented attention to himself; it was just hours before Game 3 of the Mavericks' first-round series with the New Orleans Hornets when Howard decided he'd openly discuss his off season marijuana use on Dallas' ESPN Radio affiliate.
At this point, I tried to defend Josh. Everyone makes mistakes. Then, however, after a loss in Game 4, Howard passed out fliers in the locker room inviting teammates to celebrate his 28th birthday at a Dallas nightclub with the Mavericks down 3-1 in the best-of-7 series.
OK- Not the best timing, Josh.
For his next brilliant move, Howard was arrested in his hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C., after police allegedly caught him street racing. He was charged with reckless driving and speed competition (the legal term for drag racing) after police clocked him going 94 in a 55 mph zone. He was released from the Forsyth County jail on a written promise to appear in court Sept. 23.
So is this guy on a downward spiral or what?
Now for the latest Josh Howard fiasco -- He was caught on film at the Allen Iverson celebrity flag football game dissing the National Anthem. (If you haven't seen Josh's rant, just check out youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1llOTCAyf0 )
You'll hear Howard on the tape saying, "The Star Spangled Banner's going on right now, and I don't celebrate that s***. I'm black." I guess this begins to help explain why Josh didn't want to try out for the Olympic team in Beijing.
He has no concept of what it is to be an American and has no concept of how privileged he is. Clearly, he doesn't mind accepting his millions of dollars in American currency. His hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Last straw, Mr. Howard.
Mavericks fans must be getting fed up with Josh Howard and his pointless drama, immaturity and irresponsibility. At least this Mavs fan is.
And that's quite sad to me, considering Josh Howard was one of my favorite players, for whom I had a lot of respect. Well, not anymore. What is Mark Cuban thinking? Or is he, even? Why has he traded and let walk talented, loyal, and consummate professionals like, Steve Nash, Michael Finley, and Devin Harris, always at seemingly just the wrong time, while he seems to let hang on the roster a careless and disrespectful player like Howard, who embodies exactly what is wrong with the character of so many professional athletes today?
The only thing Howard is bringing to the Dallas Mavericks and their fans is shame. It's time to face facts - Howard has become a huge distraction and an embarrassment to this franchise.
Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson need to make trade - and fast. It's simply not fair for Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks. They shouldn't have to put up with Josh Howard and his childish antics for one more second. And it's not like Josh Howard is putting up amazing numbers - if he was, maybe then they could try and ignore all of this, but he's not. So end it. Trade him, Cuban, Nelson. NOW.
41 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Thomas 9 months ago
NO! he's definately not worth the trouble. just get rid of him. easy.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
I agree, Thomas. He's just not worth it anymore.
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Christian 9 months ago
I am glad you wrote this ariticle because while I focus on the boxing portion of this site I myself am a pro basketball player and an american....the disrespect and lack of social grace that josh howard put on display is disgusting beyond words he makes his money in this country and then has the gall to speak like this about his native homeland ..great peice my friend
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Thank you, Christian:) you made my day.
Best wishes to you.
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DONTREL QUINN 9 months ago
say what u want but remember this is a free country and you can still express your opinion that being said the Dallas Mavs fans cant blame losing on just Josh Howard because i think the game of basketball still is a 5 on 5 game not 1 on 5!!! ps. good article
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R Stone 9 months ago
Dontrel, you're right, its not 1 on 5, its 4 on 5 when Howard is on the court. At the end of the season does he look forward to hoisting that trophy or smoking a joint? Why keep him if his head isn't in the game?
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
No, I agree with you as far as it being a free country.. It's about respect- for instance take a look at Dirk Nowitzki- He's not American, but I can assure you he doesn't bad mouth this country and I can also assure you that during the Anthem, Dirk has his hand across his heart.. that's having Class and Respect. Something that I feel, Josh is lacking. It just seems to me like he's becoming too much of a distraction. He's changed quite a bit and not for the better. I'm not blaming Josh for the losses. I agree with you, it takes the whole team to win or lose. But the things that had happened with Josh during playoffs clearly caused tension with Avery and the team..practices were cancelled, etc.. So it didn't help them is all Im saying.
Thanks, Dontrel for your input:)
Best wishes,
Britt
ps Just a thought, Maybe Josh doesn't want to play in Dallas anymore?
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Sebastian 9 months ago
At some point, the Josh Howard we thought we had on the Mavericks imploded and self-destructed, and now we're witnessing a Howard that has become caught in a chain-series of regrettable incidents. Even if Josh Howard was just using his unique and often misunderstood sense of humor, he should have thought better and maybe held back.
You could have gotten something for him earlier, but right now, I don't know of any team that's itching to get Josh Howard on their team.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Sebastian,
One of the things I really liked about Josh was his great sense of humor. He was always laughing and joking around with Dirk and Devin and the rest of the guys..It's very sad to see how much he has changed. I defended him quite a bit early on. But it seems as though, Josh is now his own worst enemy. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out- especially given the fact that we have a new coach in town with Rick Carlisle.
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Jack New 9 months ago
what a scumbag
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Waleed Ershad 9 months ago
Sigh.....................J-Ho is my favorite player but............i'm starting to lose all respect and hope for him. And the Mavs as well
Josh doesn't have the motivation or heart for the game
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Jeff Axel 9 months ago
I am highly dissapointed in Josh Howard's comments. I lost a lot of respect for him being black has nothing to do with him disrespecting this country. He doesn't understand how good he has it. I'm 15 and a lot of black kids my age look up to NBA players. He's setting a bad example for the black youth. But when he fucks around and gets kicked out of the league he'll realize how good he had it
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Jeff, thanks for the comment. You're correct in what you said. It's really upsetting that Josh doesn't see how good has it. He came a long way from being a little boy who wore braces on his legs-and went all the way to the NBA..thats just amazing!..As you said, he could set such a good example but he clearly he's not. Don't let Josh get ya down though--Thankfully, there are so many other athletes that truly appreciate what they have. They continue to set good examples and give back to their communties..
Makes you think about who you look up to though doesn't it? Quite a let down when you look up and admire someone and they in turn let you down.
Take care and again thanks for your comment.
Britt
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Kyle Jensen 9 months ago
Great article, I literally just posted one on the same topic if you'd like to check it out?
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
I'd love to..and thanks for letting me know
Britt
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Reta Durham 9 months ago
If this man can't respect a country that has given him so much, then he needs to move to another country to see if he likes it elsewhere. It really irritates me when someone who is in the public eye and who children look up to act this way... and you know children look up to athletes...they wear their jerseys, collect their "cards", and want to be just like them etc...When children see someone like this, who makes millions of dollars and do and say things that are horrible, these children think that it is ok to be this way themselves. Yes, it is a free country, but this person is a public figure and is a representative of a team. When someone on that team says and does things that are this anti-social it is time to reprimand this person. To diss the country he lives in, works in, makes money from etc...should be the last straw for the owner and he needs to let this guy go. It seems that many owners of sports teams only want to see the money coming in and don't give a rat's you know what about how the members of that team affect people.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Reta,
I couldn't agree with you more! Ive had some people mailing me saying I need cut Josh some slack but you know, I feel he's had enough chances. And, as you said..his actions affect people.. I'm sure his teammates are growing tired of all the negative attention he's bringing to the team. Here it is now the Mavs are getting ready for Camp to prepare for a new season and already its being over shadowed by JOSH HOWARD and all the problems that come with him.
I really appreciate your comment..thanks again, friend.
Britt
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
He should have been suspended for at least 20 games for the arrest for racing.
Other then that does it really matter if he doesn't like the National Anthem? Do people honestly believe that everyone is going to love it? No. I mean it was a celebrity flag football game, I question the reason why it had to be played there? Maybe that's what his rationale was. Also, keep in mind that the melody comes for a British drinking song. The media again is making a huge deal out of nothing. He's also got the freedom to now like the national anthem.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Hi Steven.
I agree with you and I also dont feel or expect everyone to like the National Anthem- the point that im trying to make is more about the fact that Josh just needs to understand that when he does things like this..and the other things as well..like the racing..pot..etc.. That it just sends out such a bad message to kids that look up to him...So, he doesnt like the Anthem?..all he had to do was stand there..maybe respect that there were others who do like the Anthem and also respect that there were kids there..
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Hi Steven.
I agree with you and I also dont feel or expect everyone to like the National Anthem- the point that im trying to make is more about the fact that Josh just needs to understand that when he does things like this..and the other things as well..like the racing..pot..etc.. That it just sends out such a bad message to kids that look up to him...So, he doesnt like the Anthem?..all he had to do was stand there..maybe respect that there were others who do like the Anthem and also respect that there were kids there..
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Ops sorry..haha I hit it twice lol
have a good day Steven:)
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
Brittni while I agree with you on the point about the speed racing. The pot thing could go either way with me because most of the time children get their information about drinking and drugs from their parents. Personally, I would much rather have been my child smoke Pot then smoke cigarettes. Marijuana is not physically addicting like cigarettes. Sure it was a mistake of him to say, but it really didn't effect him as much as the racing did.
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Josh Johson 9 months ago
Dontrel and Steven, you are totally correct. Josh Howard does have the right not to like that national anthem or respect it, just as we all have the right to trash his a$$ for be a spoiled little boy in a grown man's body, and throwing the race card for no good reason.
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Leave to a pro-Racist, to write a story like this.
Someone really really needs to pull their head out of their a...and accept one thing;
Josh has the right, thanks to the 1st-Amendment, to say whatever he wants about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag, or whatever else. Period.
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Plus, how ignorant does one have to be, to write something like this:
"He has no concept of what it is to be an American and has no concept of how privileged he is. Clearly, he doesn't mind accepting his millions of dollars in American currency."
Big DUH??
He sure knows the 1st-Amendment pretty well, to excercise his Right to it.
So, again-----Big DUH?? Plus, regarding his income; if you don't talk that same way about American Corporate greed-mongers, who cripple millions of American workers when *they choose to collect more billion$ by sending those American's jobs overseas* then, how idiotic do you have to be, to apply such a doublestandard?
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Hey, Josh Howard had to put up with Dirk ---being the number player on their team--- choking to the utmost highest degree in the 2006 Finals. If you didn't ask for Cuban to not let Howard and others suffer via Dirk's cowardice, and trade him after that Finals, then you seem profusely hypocritical to holler that now re: Howard being traded.
Some of you pro-Racist types, need to accept that Josh has the right to say what he wants to say. He wasn't on official NBA-business when he said what he said about that anthem. He didn't have on, any Dallas Mavs logo, when he said that. So, it is what it is, and you deceitful hypocrites need to accept that.
If John McCain can be captured, as a POW, and cooperate with the enemy to a high enough degree thats gains him 'a release' (whether he took it or not) and...still be deemed a hero enough, to be able to run for President?? Then, Josh should be able to express his thoughts on how White's Powerful Racism has effected his way of thinking about America's national anthem.
Just because he makes millions of dollars doesn't mean he supposed to forget about White's Racism that effects him and his Race of People. And those of you talking like he should? Really really really are showing your true colors!
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Naveen Maliakkal 9 months ago
He may be able to voice his lack of patriotism, but we as Americans have ever right to chastise him. To me and many good Americans, our country is to be respected and part of that is to honor the national anthem and our flag. Don't cope out on the race card. This Afro-Centrist stuff isn't helping anyone. We are all Americans and that is what makes our country great. Not the trivial ideas of society some may have.
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Naveen Maliakkal 9 months ago
Brittani - four articles
Eddie - one article
To many, you are the minor contributor that merely spews hate and is looking for controversy through plain stupidity. Sometimes its hard to hear what you are saying since your head is so far up your ass.
Nice work Brittani
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L.J. Burgess 9 months ago
You completely missed the BIG Josh Howard story of the day.
Check the front page and today's POTD.
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Kevin James 9 months ago
Hey Jerkoff, I mean Eddie
This is a place to express opinions right? So Josh Howard doesn't want to respect the national anthem because he's black. That's fine. That can be though of as racist too right? And I hate you, so does that make me racist? You called her a "minor contributor to Bleacher Report", yet you've left 8 comments! So what does that make you?
This has nothing to do with race. The guy is an asshole. Maybe she was just too nice to say that part. But i'm not nice so I'll be glad to say it. Just like I'm more than happy to call you an asshole too.
Do us all a favor and go back to the ass crack you dripped out of when some doctor made the mistake of calling you a human instead of flushing you down the toilet.
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Vegas James 9 months ago
Hey Jerkoff, I mean Eddie
This is a place to express opinions right? So Josh Howard doesn't want to respect the national anthem because he's black. That's fine. That can be though of as racist too right? And I hate you, so does that make me racist? You called her a "minor contributor to Bleacher Report", yet you've left 8 comments! So what does that make you?
This has nothing to do with race. The guy is an as*hole. Maybe she was just too nice to say that part. But i'm not nice so I'll be glad to say it. Just like I'm more than happy to call you an as*hole too.
Do us all a favor and go back to the as* crack you dripped out of when some doctor made the mistake of calling you a human instead of flushing you down the toilet.
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Eddie,
"...Not only is the author pro-Racist, she is also pro-Fascist.
She, along with other pro-Fascist minds like John McCain, George Bush, Sarah Pallin, Adolph Hitler, etc.) has deluded herself into believing that anyone who "dares" to stand up against the power structure of inequality, corporate greed and plutocracy should somehow be classified as "The Enemy" and must be punished or shamed for their desire to have their own voice and participate within a the structure of "true democracy."
If anyone should be accused of acting in an "un-American" fashion, it is the author herself, who cannot conceal her zeal for minority opinion persecution.
What was Josh Howard's crime?..."
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Eddie,
I like it, I like it...lotta veracity there, you've obviously been reading Brittni's comments for a long time
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Eddie,
"...Not only is the author pro-Racist, she is also pro-Fascist.
She, along with other pro-Fascist minds like John McCain, George Bush, Sarah Pallin, Adolph Hitler, etc.) has deluded herself into believing that anyone who "dares" to stand up against the power structure of inequality, corporate greed and plutocracy should somehow be classified as "The Enemy" and must be punished or shamed for their desire to have their own voice and participate within a the structure of "true democracy."
If anyone should be accused of acting in an "un-American" fashion, it is the author herself, who cannot conceal her zeal for minority opinion persecution.
What was Josh Howard's crime?..."
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.
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.
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Eddie,
I like it, I like it...lotta veracity there, you've obviously been reading Brittni's comments for a long time
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Naveen Maliakkal 9 months ago
There is no way one can compare McCain, Bush, and Palin to Adolf Hitler. This is not the persecution of minorities, but the criticizing of those who don't show respect to their own nation. Josh Howard may have not committed a legal crime, however to disgrace your country that has given you so much is just wrong. There is no way Josh Howard should be immune from criticism because of the First Amendment.
Too many black people are rushing to the defense of this man and have rushed to the defense of men like Obama. But when men like Clarence Thomas begin to succeed, you kick him out of the NAACP because he wasn't "black" enough. You people baffle me
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Vegas James 9 months ago
It's too bad Eddie and yungCOCKasoid didn't get baked in the ovens.
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Vegas,
don't be too mad at me. Especially, when once I make your pro-Racist mindset, eventually subside, I promise.
And keep the gay/queer references, to yourself...or save them for when your Husband gets home from work or something.
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Vegas James 9 months ago
Promise me what COCKasoid?
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Mark Ragland 9 months ago
While I don't agree with Josh Howard said about the National Anthem, this is America, and he has the right to his opinion.
His admission of pot smoking didn't bother me. But the insubordination concerning sending out fliers to his birthday party after he was told not to by former head coach Avery Johnson, the illegal street racing, and his comments about the National Anthem do. It's obvious that we have a 28-year-old young man who has not yet grown up.
Something that has not helped this situation is Mark Cuban apologizing for Josh's actions and behavior on Josh's behalf on his blog www.blogmaverick.com. Why can't Josh apologize for his own actions and behavior? Just ten seconds to say I'm sorry for my actions and behavior? Why is that so hard?
It's perfectly obvious that Cuban and the Mavericks think that if they ignore this situation long enough, it will go away.
The Mavericks have a media day today. It will be interesting to see if this situation is addressed.
However, I don't think it will.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
I agree..Cuban basically addressed it and said he stood by Josh..then posted emails that he soon removed. Since then not much has been said. Dirk had said camp will prove to be very"interesting" which Im sure it will be.. But as you stated, Josh could have easily just said he was sorry..even if he wasn't. He could have done a "Kobe" and just admitted it wasnt the right thing to do..
It's going to be a very interesting season! I know I can't wait :)
Britt
ps and thank u for the comment, Mark
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Mark Ragland 9 months ago
Hi Britt:
Since I made that post, I have since found out that Josh did indeed apologize for his actions and behavior today during Mavericks Media Day.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall and find out if Josh's apology was one he made on his own or if it was coerced by Cuban and/or Carlisle.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Damage control lol
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Mark Ragland 9 months ago
Britt:
I saw Josh's apology last night and it did seem sincere. At least it wasn't one of those apologies where he read it from a card. It was far better than Kenny Rogers' apology that he made a couple of years ago after that scuffle he had with a cameraman which was read from a card.
I just wonder what took Josh so long? And if the Mavericks had not had a Media Day yesterday, would Josh have apologized? Probably not.
Make no mistake about it. Wherever he plays this year, at home at the AAC, or on the road, Josh will be booed. I just wonder if he's mature enough to handle it.
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Brittni O'Ryan 9 months ago
Yeah, He's going to get alot of flack for all of this. I really wish he would have just come clean right from the start and said he messed up and was sorry. Him putting it off for so long just made him look even worse. Josh needs to realize he's part of a TEAM- and when you're on a team you have to understand that your actions don't only effect you personally..It can bring and cause havoc to your team and coaches etc. I'm sure there is alot of tension in the locker room - not to mention how it will play out on the court...I hope for the best..at least this is a start:)
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