Josh Howard: Should Miss Rest of Utah's Season Due to Knee Surgery

According to an NBA.com report, Josh Howard is done for the year on account of a chip in his knee. 

Utah is half a game behind the Rockets for a playoff spot, so any injury matters. Though, my focus is mainly on Howard, a player who has had a beleaguered, primeless prime. After having a career year for the Mavericks at age 26, the now 31 year old has suffered a downward spiral of injuries and diminished play.

His fading spotlight dismays, because few players are more honest (for better and for worse) than JH. Josh Howard was open enough to defend offseason marijuana use as his "personal choice and personal opinion." Regardless of your stance on this issue, he was certainly brave for admitting to a hobby that many players in the league would rather hide. Howard also got himself into some controversy for a Youtube clip in which he (I'm assuming, jokingly) said of the national anthem: "I don't celebrate that sh--. I'm black." 

Such candor has made Josh Howard a pariah to some, but I tend to root for more honesty in sports, in all its uncomfortable incarnations. So I'm saddened to see such an open guy, betrayed by body yet again.