Josh Howard Admits To.....

[KFDM COOP]

Josh Howard

Why would you admit to smoking weed in the offseason at this point in time?

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.

Howard on ESPN Radio

Appearing on "The Michael Irvin Show" in Dallas Friday, Maverick Josh Howard admitted that he smokes marijuana during the off-season. Listen

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.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/David Zalubowski

Mavericks forward Josh Howard revealed he uses marijuana in the offseason.

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."

[Guest DickVitale]

What a dumb a--..... >

[AggiesAreWe]

What a dumb a--..... >

You took the words right out my mouth, Dicky.

[BMTSoulja1]

I don't know why he did that.  I actually liked what he brought to the table in Dallas.  Insert foot in mouth now.

[bullets13]

I wasn't really surprised when I heard this.  If someone said "pick the one maverick who you think smokes pot on the dallas mavericks", i probably would've said howard.  personally, i don't have a huge problem with his revelation from a playing standpoint, as he's correct when he says it has no bearing on how he does while playing basketball.  the problems arise when you consider that he's admitting to committing a crime, and that thousands of kids out there who look up to him are hearing something from one of their role models that is contrary to what other important people (parents i.e.) are telling them.

[dayton]

Marijuana doesn't have any long-term effects?

[bullets13]

Marijuana doesn't have any long-term effects?

if a teacher drinks occasionally during the summer, are they going to have problems teaching in september?

occasional marijuana use during the offseason is not going to effect how he's playing during the season.  don't twist my words.  now if he smokes pot every day during the offseason, gets the munchies all the time, gains 30 lbs, and subsequently lacks the ambition to go out and practice, then sure, smoking pot in the offseason will effect his playing ability.  I'm not saying what he's doing is ok, I'm just saying that his comment about it not being a big deal FROM A BASKETBALL STANDPOINT is reasonable. 

[HouTexan]

Nice role model and another fine example of a professional athlete.  ???

[wos08]

the problems arise when you consider that he's admitting to committing a crime, and that thousands of kids out there who look up to him are hearing something from one of their role models that is contrary to what other important people (parents i.e.) are telling them.

You're 100% correct

Us kids dont care for our role models athletic ability, we want to be able to smoke a bowl or beat the crap out of our wives like these pro athletes

[bullets13]

the problems arise when you consider that he's admitting to committing a crime, and that thousands of kids out there who look up to him are hearing something from one of their role models that is contrary to what other important people (parents i.e.) are telling them.

You're 100% correct

Us kids dont care for our role models athletic ability, we want to be able to smoke a bowl or beat the crap out of our wives like these pro athletes

you guys are killing me.

[Gabe]

It does put a negative light on if he takes basketball serious. Yes it may not affect his play but he runs the risk of going to jail for buying or having the dope on him.

When and if that happens, he will not play for some time and that will hurt his team.

[BMTSoulja1]

It will hurt him.  Whenever he has a bad game or something like that, people will say,"well, if he wasn't smoking weed, he wouldn't have had this bad game."  Gotta use your head better than that, man!

[dayton]

Marijuana doesn't have any long-term effects?

if a teacher drinks occasionally during the summer, are they going to have problems teaching in september?

occasional marijuana use during the offseason is not going to effect how he's playing during the season.  don't twist my words.  now if he smokes pot every day during the offseason, gets the munchies all the time, gains 30 lbs, and subsequently lacks the ambition to go out and practice, then sure, smoking pot in the offseason will effect his playing ability.  I'm not saying what he's doing is ok, I'm just saying that his comment about it not being a big deal FROM A BASKETBALL STANDPOINT is reasonable. 

actually wasn't even referring to your comments. my fault should have been more clear. I was referring to Howard's comments that it has no effect on him doing his job. Having no experience with marijauna, I was throwing a general question out there.

[bullets13]

Marijuana doesn't have any long-term effects?

if a teacher drinks occasionally during the summer, are they going to have problems teaching in september?

occasional marijuana use during the offseason is not going to effect how he's playing during the season.  don't twist my words.  now if he smokes pot every day during the offseason, gets the munchies all the time, gains 30 lbs, and subsequently lacks the ambition to go out and practice, then sure, smoking pot in the offseason will effect his playing ability.  I'm not saying what he's doing is ok, I'm just saying that his comment about it not being a big deal FROM A BASKETBALL STANDPOINT is reasonable. 

actually wasn't even referring to your comments. my fault should have been more clear. I was referring to Howard's comments that it has no effect on him doing his job. Having no experience with marijauna, I was throwing a general question out there.

oh, ok.  cool  ;D

[AJ25]

Nice role model and another fine example of a professional athlete.  ???

my thoughts exactly. the next jose canseco. saying he other athletes do all this crap.

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

my guess is that he wont be a Mav for too much longer.

[Bucof2010]

He's an idiot. NOBODY CARES if he smokes pot on his own time UNTILL he does crap like this because now every little kid that looks at him as a roll model (and I'm sure theres plenty after his performance in the dunk contest) will think that smoking bud is a cool thing and not a bad thing to do.

[BMTSoulja1]

He's an idiot. NOBODY CARES if he smokes pot on his own time UNTILL he does crap like this because now every little kid that looks at him as a roll model (and I'm sure theres plenty after his performance in the dunk contest) will think that smoking bud is a cool thing and not a bad thing to do.

You Have the wrong Howard.  We are talking about Josh Howard.  The Sprite Slam Dunk champion is Dwight 'Superman' Howard.

[Bucof2010]

He's an idiot. NOBODY CARES if he smokes pot on his own time UNTILL he does crap like this because now every little kid that looks at him as a roll model (and I'm sure theres plenty after his performance in the dunk contest) will think that smoking bud is a cool thing and not a bad thing to do.

You Have the wrong Howard.  We are talking about Josh Howard.  The Sprite Slam Dunk champion is Dwight 'Superman' Howard.

Well I feel like a dunce now 

[BMTSoulja1]

He's an idiot. NOBODY CARES if he smokes pot on his own time UNTILL he does crap like this because now every little kid that looks at him as a roll model (and I'm sure theres plenty after his performance in the dunk contest) will think that smoking bud is a cool thing and not a bad thing to do.

You Have the wrong Howard.  We are talking about Josh Howard.  The Sprite Slam Dunk champion is Dwight 'Superman' Howard.

Well I feel like a dunce now 

You're ok! 

[Guest tigersvoice]

He's an idiot. NOBODY CARES if he smokes pot on his own time UNTILL he does crap like this because now every little kid that looks at him as a roll model (and I'm sure theres plenty after his performance in the dunk contest) will think that smoking bud is a cool thing and not a bad thing to do.

You Have the wrong Howard.  We are talking about Josh Howard.  The Sprite Slam Dunk champion is Dwight 'Superman' Howard.

Well I feel like a dunce now 

You're ok!   

NO. . . not that easy.  You lose your cell phone for two weeks with the promise that you will research your position better the next time. ;D