He was on the Michael Irving show today talking about his off-season marijuana use. How STUPID can you be?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3368139

Friday, April 25, 2008
Cuban: Mavs will deal with Howard's admission of drug use internally

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By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard brought unexpected and possibly unprecedented attention to himself Friday, just hours before Game 3 of the Mavericks' first-round series with New Orleans, by openly discussing his offseason marijuana use on Dallas' ESPN Radio affiliate.



Expounding on comments about marijuana that he made over the weekend to The Dallas Morning News, Howard joined "The Michael Irvin Show" on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM on Friday afternoon and told the Hall of Fame wide receiver that he "probably" would not smoke marijuana in-season even if the league did not have a random testing program but described "smoking weed in the offseason sometimes" as his "personal choice and personal opinion."


"I don't think that's stopping me from doing my job," Howard told Irvin.

The 28-year-old from Wake Forest, selected by NBA commissioner David Stern to fill a roster spot created by injury on the Western Conference All-Star team in 2007, added, "I think that everybody in the media world and in the sports world knows that NBA players do smoke marijuana."

It was not immediately clear what sort of punishment Howard could face for his candor, either from the league office or his team. But one source close to the situation told ESPN.com that the league likely "can't" suspend Howard.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said any punishment from the club will be meted out "internally."

"We won't make it public," Cuban said. "But we'll deal it.

"We'll do what we need to do."

NBA players are required to undergo four random tests every season between Oct. 1 and June 30. But a player who tests positive for marijuana is not subjected to his first five-game suspension -- or even public knowledge he has failed a drug test -- until his third failed test.

There likewise appears to be no penalty precedent for a player who merely shares details about his substance abuse in the media.

Two sources close to the situation told ESPN.com Howard will almost certainly be entered immediately into the NBA's marijuana program -- which would require him to submit to much more frequent testing -- but it would appear that he is not at risk for a suspension unless he has failed two previous tests.

The league issued no response to Howard's comments Friday, citing a policy in its anti-drug agreement with the union that forbids the NBA and the Players Association from publicly discussing specifics about substance-abuse issues.

Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said during his usual pregame meeting with reporters that he would need more information before responding.

"I haven't heard the interview and I haven't spoken with Josh," Johnson said . "Once I hear the interview and talk to Josh, we'll go from there."

But, Johnson added, Howard's decision to consent to the interview and invite questions on this topic on the day of a playoff game was "what I call poor timing and poor judgment."

Dallas is already reeling from a 2-0 deficit to the Hornets entering a crucial Game 3 at home.

Howard has struggled mightily in the series, averaging 13.5 points on 26.9 percent shooting from the floor. But the discussion about marijuana with Irvin came at Howard's urging -- as the station stressed repeatedly during subsequent programming -- to clarify the statements he made to The Morning News.

Asked by Irvin's co-host, Kevin Kiley, if he fears that his struggles in this series will be linked to his marijuana admission, Howard said: "Oh yeah, I understand that. . . . I know that's not the truth."

". . . Like I was saying to the [Morning News reporter], it has nothing to do with what I do as far as basketball, when I go out there and perform," Howard said. "That's how I feel about it.

". . . What I was stating was just [in response to] a random question he asked me about the marijuana use. I just let him know that most of the players in the league use marijuana and I have and do partake in smoking weed in the offseason sometimes and that's my personal choice and my personal opinion. But I don't think that's stopping me from doing my job."

Asked why he wanted to discuss this topic, Howard said: "I was raised on being truthful and honest with myself and my family, so I can say it with no problems and go out there and perform to the best of my abilities tonight and not even think about it."

Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.

What a dumbazz!! It's bad enough that he openly admits he uses weed but did he have to say most NBA players do likewise? He's just helping to perpetuate stereotypes with that crap, which I don't beleive.

DAYUM...*sigh*

He must have been high when he spoke to the paper and to Irvin. Why would the guy incriminate himself and set himself up for more scrutiny from the league and possibly the police that'll probably start following this guy around when he's driving in the offseason. He has to know how they love to bust "Stars".

Dallas has no talent besides Dirk. That is why he was MVP last year with a team that won 67 games. Howard is easily the most overrated player in the league, and whoever voted him an all star needs to be shot.

Something is wrong with this boy.

not another word needs to be said. the title of this thread appropriately says it all...

See some "NUKKA's" are just Stupid! I'm not knocking Howard for smoking weed, because I don't look at weed as being any worse that Alcohol, BUT Weed is still illegal to consume and is banned for use by the NBA as well.

Why go out and publicly admit you are "Breaking the Law"? Schytt, if you are snatching purses or boosting clothes, do you see those folks out admitting that in public? I can see Steve Nash now saying on ESPN, "Uhhhhh, yeah during the off season I got out and snatch purses and schytt"! Our people are too damn stupid when it comes to drugs. We will boost how we are selling/slanging hella drugs or getting high daily, but wonder why you are now under investigation...............

For real though, the NFL and NBA players have got to be some of the dumbest people around. This street credibility and hip-hop generation is just plain clueless when it comes to social skills.

I ask the same question I often ask my friends, "With all of the Bull Schyatt that goes down at the Vibe or BET Music Awards, why dont' the same Schyatt pop off at the Country or Grammy Music Awards?" Why don't Professional Golfers get caught up in the same Bull Schyatt as do NFL and NBA players?

Now I see why in Winston, Chris Paul is regarded as our Golden Child and Josh is just Josh.

Cuz he won't get rid of that hood mentality.

JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT, I MET A WAKE GRAD WHO BELIEVED PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING WAS ON THE UP & UP.

quote:

Originally posted by Decks:
What a dumbazz!! It's bad enough that he openly admits he uses weed but did he have to say most NBA players do likewise? He's just helping to perpetuate stereotypes with that crap, which I don't beleive.

Ya'll know I'm not stooping to the idiot, dumbass...stereotype schitt. But, he shouldn't think "weed" use is an publicly acceptable activity. It is illegal.!!! But, it goes to show how common the use has become among the "blunt"[joint] generation. Some think it's okay to talk about it. smsh...smh...smh. Talking about a country bama.

btw, I do believe him about the widespread usage.

Josh Howard is definitely an idiot for saying this. I really don't understand what compelled him to even bring this up. However, I won't go as far and say he's overrated. He's a good player - I won't take that away from him.....but if he keeps flapping those soup-coolers, he'll take basketball away from his own self. Just not smart.....