| The Mavs' Problem Child Authored by Leigh Ellis - September 21, 2008 - 5:33 pm
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Whenever Cuban speaks, people hear him. Whether or not they actually listen is another thing, but the point is, he brings attention to the Mavs. But now, he is being embarrassed by one of his own.
Dallas has never fully recovered from stumbling in the 2006 NBA Finals against Miami. Since then, they have been embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs. First by Golden State in 2007, and then by New Orleans this past April.
Given the emergence of teams such as the Hornets, Jazz and the revival of the Lakers – few experts would consider the Mavericks to be a serious threat in the Western conference this year.
It’s getting to that ‘wipe the slate clean and start again’ time for the Mavs.
Last year’s coach, Avery Johnson, is already gone and there may be more casualties to follow. The Mavs own one very valuable asset whose biggest strength might be in what Dallas can get in exchange for him.
Josh Howard is a gifted player who is developing and improving all the time, but there is mounting evidence to show that his brain isn’t maturing at the same rate as his game.
The YouTube footage of Howard trashing America’s national anthem was certainly cringe worthy. Not necessarily because he expressed his opinion about what it meant to him, but the fact that he was stupid enough to be recorded saying it on camera.
It was foolish and unnecessary.
Commissioner David Stern might otherwise be smiling to himself right now, seeing his old sparring partner Cuban being made to look silly for a change. Only Howard’s rant reflects back on Stern and his office too. It always does.
It’s just another case of one of Stern’s kids saying the darnedest of things.
In this advanced technological age, Howard should have been more careful. Whether it’s best friends or worst enemies, athletes and celebrities know that camera phones only mean trouble.
You don’t have to be the most patriotic person to know that no good could come from Howard’s spiel.
A countries’ national anthem is the same as its flag. Whether you like it or not, it deserves the utmost respect. At all times.
Howard went on to mention something about Barack Obama in the short clip. It wasn’t clear exactly what he was saying about, but it’s probably a good thing that whatever he said was mostly inaudible.
The United States is a free country and nobody is denying Howard his right to say whatever he wants. That is HIS right. But it’s not the first time Howard has used poor judgment.
In April, prior to Game Three of their series against the Hornets, Howard openly admitted to smoking marijuana in the offseason.
Howard also alleged that many NBA players smoke during the offseason.
A lot of people don’t regard puffing on the occasional joint to be a serious crime – nor should they, but Howard didn’t need to blow the lid on one of sports worst-kept secrets. It’s like the smelly kid in school…everyone knows he smells, but that doesn’t mean you have to tell him.
Despite trailing 3-1 in their series against the Hornets, Howard was still in the mood to party and proceeded to hand out invitations for a birthday celebration to his teammates – in the locker room - immediately after the Game Four loss.
More proof that Howard can’t think as smoothly as he moves on the basketball court came in July when he was arrested for street racing. He was allegedly traveling at 94 mph in a 55 mph zone. He’s scheduled to appear in court soon to answer that charge.
Thankfully, a court appearance is the only event that occurred from a pursuit that often ends with deadly consequences. It’s also the type of incident that will make potential sponsors start to wonder whether or not he is such a good investment.
Again, no reasonable person would deny a young man goofing around with his pals during the offseason, but there are other, less life-endangering ways of letting your hair down.
Howard is an unquestionably a gifted player. In his five NBA seasons, his game as improved each year culminating in an All-Star appearance in 2007.
He is very versatile offensively. He can get to the hoop or knock down the mid-range shot, while also nailing the long ball. His vast cache of weapons makes him an awkward matchup for opposing teams.
Howard is no one-trick pony as he’s no slouch defensively either. Usually he gets assigned the Kobe’s or LeBron’s, meaning he provides a lot of value at both ends of the court.
Cuban has resisted trading Howard so far and in this past offseason, he is rumored to have declined several offers for the young star. Maybe he believes that Howard’s obvious upside still outweighs his ever increasing down side.
We’ll see soon if Cuban still believes that.
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