The last five months have been a nightmare for the Dallas Mavericks’ Josh Howard.
In July, he was caught acting the fool during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” It was captured by a friend on his cell phone and ended up on YouTube. When asked about it, Howard stated that he doesn’t celebrate the song because he’s black. That comment provoked a firestorm among Maverick fans.
“I wish I could take those words back,” said a sorrowful Howard at media day on Monday, standing before a crowd of skeptical news folk.
“I went to a military school and I know how to salute and respect the flag. This is a great country we live in. I couldn’t do the things I do if I didn’t live here. I want to prove I am a different person than the one you saw on YouTube.”
After the video, he was arrested for car racing in his hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. He was clocked at 94 mph. In an interview last year, Howard admitted that he uses marijuana. He also celebrated at a late-night birthday party for himself in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against New Orleans. His performance was less than stellar.
The Mavericks are taking a giant gamble for keeping him and paying him a reported $21 million. Maverick owner Mark Cuban said that he had talked with Howard and feels that his apology was real, and that he can come back from a poor performance in the latter part of the season last year and contribute to the team this year.
New Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that he had visited with Howard over the summer at his alma mater, Wake Forest. He had also visited with Howard’s mother and grandmother. They were both supportive and knew that Josh was a person of quality.
“I want to be the Josh Howard I know I can be. I want to help the team,” Howard said, as he looked directly at the media crowd. He appeared to be sincere and genuinely embarrassed for the trouble he had caused.
Whether Howard can contribute or not depends a lot on the chemistry between him and Jason Kidd. Kidd is smart, unselfish, drives the lane well, and has a better view of the court at all times than just about any other point guard. Howard can learn from him.
“I am just going to play basketball to the best of my ability,” said Howard.
In July, he was caught acting the fool during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” It was captured by a friend on his cell phone and ended up on YouTube. When asked about it, Howard stated that he doesn’t celebrate the song because he’s black. That comment provoked a firestorm among Maverick fans.
“I wish I could take those words back,” said a sorrowful Howard at media day on Monday, standing before a crowd of skeptical news folk.
“I went to a military school and I know how to salute and respect the flag. This is a great country we live in. I couldn’t do the things I do if I didn’t live here. I want to prove I am a different person than the one you saw on YouTube.”
After the video, he was arrested for car racing in his hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. He was clocked at 94 mph. In an interview last year, Howard admitted that he uses marijuana. He also celebrated at a late-night birthday party for himself in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against New Orleans. His performance was less than stellar.
The Mavericks are taking a giant gamble for keeping him and paying him a reported $21 million. Maverick owner Mark Cuban said that he had talked with Howard and feels that his apology was real, and that he can come back from a poor performance in the latter part of the season last year and contribute to the team this year.
New Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that he had visited with Howard over the summer at his alma mater, Wake Forest. He had also visited with Howard’s mother and grandmother. They were both supportive and knew that Josh was a person of quality.
“I want to be the Josh Howard I know I can be. I want to help the team,” Howard said, as he looked directly at the media crowd. He appeared to be sincere and genuinely embarrassed for the trouble he had caused.
Whether Howard can contribute or not depends a lot on the chemistry between him and Jason Kidd. Kidd is smart, unselfish, drives the lane well, and has a better view of the court at all times than just about any other point guard. Howard can learn from him.
“I am just going to play basketball to the best of my ability,” said Howard.
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