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annndddd josh howard is the
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3368139
Source: Howard not likely to be punished for admitting offseason drug use
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 a suspension from either is unlikely.
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.
There was also no immediate response from the Mavericks, with Dallas 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.
Now I would normally agree with this if it was the private sector but why not just keep your mouth shut?? A lot of people smoke, but they wouldn't tell a freaking newspaper about. How dumb is this guy?
annndddd josh howard is the
It was stupid for him to talk about it today, but ESPN is way behind if they think this is the first time he's talked about it. He's mentioned it in interviews before.
Hmmm, maybe it's just to with his head? That would be a pretty f-ed up thing for his hometown writer to do.
Eh, stupid move on Howard's part. When you're a public figure, you have to consider talking to the media like talking to your boss. And I don't know a lot of people who can get away with telling their boss that they smoke pot when they're at home.
Even if they do.
Even if their boss does, too.
It's one of those things that's supposed to go unsaid.
On a separate note, it's an interesting statement to hear that "most" players in the league smoke pot. That's one of those things I always kind of wondered about, especially since the league doesn't enforce testing too seriously and you always hear random reports about the dumber players getting caught with it.
There have been rumors that Dirk and Nash used to do it back in the day as well, and I've read on Spurstalk that Duncans probably did as well. Ofcourse it's only speculation, but it really seems to be spread to all kinds of players.
All the cool kids are doing it.
I wonder what he means by most. 30%? 70%? 100%
On one hand I think it was stupid to say it, because now Stern might tighten the drug policy. Which will probably piss a lot of players in the league off.
But I think the timing was bad, especially considering his level of play. Dallas should just go jump off of one of Mark Cuban's many balconies.
When Steven A Smith had that lame ass "Quite Frankly" show I heard Baron Davis say that he would guess 85% of the league smokes. I don't blame Howard for saying this one bit. The fact that NBA players don't talk about it is ridiculous. saving the league from the bad headlines. Good job Josh Howard.
Nash smokes a lot. I grew up with Jackson Vroman who played on the Suns for a year. I've straight heard a message from Nash on Jackson's phone asking if he wanted to smoke. It was during the season. I was also told that Nash is as big a pothead as you'll ever meet. Like multiple times daily, 365.
It's not the right forum for it, and it's illegal. Now I still do, but I don't go on TV 3 times a week in front of millions of kids. When you retire from the game you could be the President of NORML, but I wouldn't confirm you don't have to while playing. Not to mention if Stern tightens the policy, pothead get cranky without weed and they'll be taking that out on Howard's ass.
Well I'm entirely politically radical and you're probably not even going to be receptive to what I have to say about the public's conception and consumption of marijuana. Needless to say though, in my opinion the more people smoking herb, the better. I could care less about kids being exposed to the idea that marijuana exists. Beats all the propoganda and lies they're told about it by everyone else.
And Sterns not changing . One of these stories comes out every year or so and then it's forgotten and hushed up again. What's he going to do? Suspend five players a week?
That is interesting since SAS was just on ESPN blasting Howard for admitting to this and for implicating other NBA players... and coincidentally, Baron Davis was a guest analyst.
Well in real life I'm probably a little more politically radical, but I'm playing devil's advocate a little. I mean although you and I are for pot use, some people are against it and I think they have the right to be able to watch basketball without having it brought up in front of their kids. If it was an actor or musician they can not allow them to watch or listen but there is only one place for NBA basketball.
I really think if they crack down a lot of players will be pissed.
I'd say there's a much larger risk of ESPN exposing kids to this subject by beating it into the ground for the next week. Kids don't listen to the Michael Irvin Show between 1-3 in Dallas. Frankly, neither do adults.
lol, so true
I'm with you on the poor timing. Sadly for us, his trade value is basically gone now I feel.
That is coincidental. I didn't see it and as I've had a bad migraine all day, I'm not even going to try to listen to Steven A's pregame right now. But did Baron say anything about it?
Oh so pissed. Would they stop is the question? I guess if it comes down to it they probably would, but they wouldn't be quiet about it. David Stern doesn't want to eradicate marijuana from his league. To do that, he'd have to admit it was a problem in the first place and there's no way he sets the league up for that kind of a black eye. He's going to wait for this story to go away like everyone else.
Plus, I honestly think the players union realizes what a big deal this is to a lot of their players and there's no way they let a more restrictive marijuana policy fall into place. Actually, I think it was quietly a major, major issue for them during the last collective bargaining agreement that it didn't become more restrictive.
sucks grass off the court, sucks balls on the court.
J-Ho is an idiot anyways...this doesnt surprise me
Release J-Ho
What an idiot.....keep that crap to yourself...and even more stupid is the timing...team is down 2-0 facing elimination and he talks about pot.
Now his trade value has decreased too....just plain stupid.
DD
Everyone knew this already. It's a non-news story. A lot of young pro athletes smoke pot.
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