Is Josh Howard a Role Model or Malefactor?

The 28—year old Maverick forward Josh Howard has been through a lot in his short five years in the NBA; from marijuana charges to getting arrested, to disrespecting the national anthem. The 6’7” Wake Forest star is clearly having trouble “growing up.”

Howard averaged 19.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, and 1.5 bpg as a senior for Wake Forest before being drafted with the 29th pick in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks in the '03 NBA draft. I guess you can say NBA teams weren’t exactly “thrilled” with Howard’s talent or maybe teams just predicted Howard's future off court behavior.

During Howard’s rookie season, he was ranked seventh in scoring and tied for fifth in rebounding amongst rookies. His sophomore season, he improved by averaging 32.2 mpg along with 12.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, and 1.5 spg.

Howard proved his athleticism and heart for the game in the 2006-2007 season, averaging close to 19 ppg and almost seven boards a night. He finally was getting a name for himself and getting noticed for his aggressive take to the basket along with his well played defense.

In the '07-'08 season, everything began to go downhill. Howard admitted to using marijuana throughout his entire NBA career, stating in an ESPN interview that marijuana is nothing that he needs and put the spotlight on other NBA players who supposedly “need it.”

Along with the drug issue, Howard was posted on YouTube during Allen Iverson’s celebrity flag football game in Baltimore in July 2008. He was filmed as the Star-Spangled Banner was playing before the start of the football game saying, “The Star-Spangled Banner is going on. I don’t celebrate that s***. I’m black.”

On top of that, Howard was seen racing his black Lexus against a silver Volkswagen in North Carolina on Sept. 31, 2008. Howard was clocked in by the policeman at 94 mph in a 55 mph speed zone.

What in the world is wrong with this guy? He is a professional NBA player that is supposed to be a role model for kids, especially Dallas Maverick fans. Instead, he is ruining his reputation throughout the NBA and losing fans worldwide.

Mark Cuban can’t be too happy about this!

So what exactly should commissioner David Stern and the NBA league do? What do you guys think they should do? Do you disapprove of Howard’s behavior, or do you think they should stay out of his offseason “smoking” business and let him insult our beautiful country like that?