NBA: The Josh Howard Saga

Hoopsworld — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:38:53 -0700

It'll Be Tough to Trade Josh Howard: The Dallas Mavericks have been adamant all along they are not interested in trading forward Josh Howard. Still, ever since Howard's party issue in the playoffs this season and his revelation about recreational marijuana use, that hasn't stopped other teams from feeling out the Mavs.

Predictably, all of those offers have been of the type where teams are offer minimal incentive, hoping the Mavs would be willing to get rid of Howard for anything. No dice. Despite further issues that have popped up in the offseason, such as a drag racing incident and a YouTube video where he comments on The Star-Spangled Banner, the Mavericks are standing by Howard.

". . .We will be going through some advanced communication-skill sessions together this training camp," Mavs' owner Mark Cuban told the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday. "I have explained to him that cell phone cameras are not your friend and that what you think you said on camera is never what people will hear when it shows up on YouTube or TV.

"There is only one universal response that works: 'Both teams played hard.'"

Ah yes, the memorable phrase from then-Portland Trail Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace. If you recall, that infamous playoff postgame interview was done in Dallas the last time Portland made the postseason. Cuban apparently remembers that moment as fondly as most of us in the media.

So, if possibly fans and media alike seem to not be seeing much from Howard this next season with regards to interviews and interaction, this could be why. Sometimes it's best just to say nothing at all.

There have to be some trust issues involved here as well on Howard's fault. Presumably if his national anthem comments were said to a cell phone recording, then Howard either thought it wasn't recording or his comments were being made to someone he felt would keep it to themself. Or both.

The lesson? Make sure you can trust those you think you can trust, and don't trust electronic gadgetry of strangers.