Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard admitted pot use, denied need

[HMFFL]

During his five NBA seasons, Josh Howard has been candid with The Dallas Morning News and other media outlets about using marijuana.

Entering last season's playoffs, the ESPN.com blog TrueHoop asked Howard whether he slipped to No. 29 in the 2003 NBA draft because teams were concerned that he had a marijuana problem.

Howard responded that "a lot of people have that problem" and speculated that players selected ahead of him also smoked pot. He said it shouldn't have affected his draft status.

Asked whether he caught any flak for that interview, Howard said no. When asked to quantify the extent of his use, he said he got "a little crazy" in high school but uses it "less" now and never during the season.

He emphasizes that marijuana is "nothing I'm needing," unlike some NBA players who "have to have it."

"What can I say? If you can do it and it's not affecting your everyday life, why stop? If I'm able to do it, but not while I play basketball, it lets you know I can quit whenever."

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[from_ro_to_dirk]

i wouldn't doubt if Nellie smoked it considering he'd hang out with Willie Nelson and others.

Kinda dumb for JHo to say he is using it, you never know when you might get that one cop looking to bust him to make a name or take him down for whatever reason. Thinks its dumb to draw negative attention to himself like that.

Also, how many times we gonna hear now that maybe he was smoking when he called that time out against Miami.

[markdeez33]

Howard definitely feels comfortable talking about marijuana, I guess he doesn't find it to be a big deal, so let him speak his mind. He says it doesn't affect him and that he never smokes during the season, therefore, I don't see the problem. Howard is a great player with a tremendous skillset.

[Pointguard01]

The idea of smoking weed has one of the worst stigma's ever, but its no different than getting drunk. Most people who do both feel more in control when they smoke than when they drink. It's just people feel its fine to go have a drink or two at the bar, but when someone smokes weed, then people get the idea that people are some kind of drugies.

[from_ro_to_dirk]

hey trust me, i got no problem with weed, i just think its stupid to bring up that you are doing illegal activities. you think Stern likes to see that his players are openly talking about smoking dope in the offseason?

[JazzItUp13]

well now he's a good role model!

[Rand10]

Asked whether he caught any flak for that interview, Howard said no. When asked to quantify the extent of his use, he said he got "a little crazy" in high school but uses it "less" now and never during the season.

And the postseason?

[studcrackers]

why does he have to be a role model, im shocked that any players would give an honest answer about this and i wont fault him for it b/c id bet over half the league does it (and that could be a low estimate)

who was that cowboy a couple years back who i believe was fighting for legalization?

[jbsg02]

someone once told me he got high before every game at wake forest

[dirkforpres]

You arent a celebrity unless you smoke marijuana... Its barely even a drug anymore.

[DDansby123]

Generally speaking, admitting to the use of an illegal substance isn't a smart thing to do. Whether or not marijuana should be legal or how bad it is relative to alcohol really isn't germane here. Keep your mouth shut, and the risk to your team goes down tremendously (in my estimation).

Regardless, I think we all knew he was smoking dope at halftime of games anyway.

[magee]

Wait, didn't he go back to the locker room in the Finals against miami before he called timeout?

In all seriousness, weed is the drug to be least concerned about, but the fact he admitted to it is a problem, especially since he will be a fringe All-Star from here on out.

Anyone notice how small his feet are in relation to his size? Just noticed that when he was at the free throw line in Game 1. Check it out if you don't know what I'm talking about.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

You arent a celebrity unless you smoke marijuana... Its barely even a drug anymore.

Wow, and this coming from the poster who constantly criticizes me for every post/reply I make. Admitting pot use, past or present without interrogation is stupid. Smoking/Consuming it is even stupider in this day and age. He needs to grow up and so do you dfp with that attitude on 'pot'. 'Pot', 'Chronic', or whatever people are calling it has long term affects on the decision making process and the overall attitude one has. I have lost all respect for Josh Howard and I totally understand how come he disappears in the second half of games. It's such a contrast with a player like Dirk who you can tell does NOT use 'pot' (though he does get snookered from time to time ). This team depends too much on Josh Howard and the fact he's a stoner really scares me.

Would you put your faith and hope into a stoner who was doing anything else for you?

A construction worker?
Someone getting your latte?
A person taking care of your kids?
A safety inspector in a power plant?
A physician?

Then why the f*** would you put your faith in your starting SF to perform correctly?

Wow!

[Jon-O]

I have a friend who is dating a guy whose sister use to date Devin Harris little brother. Well she got invited to a party that they were throwing at Devin Harris' house and she saw Josh Howard throwed!! She told me that he was smoking with a lot FINE honies and was so drunk and high that he was starting to act pretty foolishly. I didn't believe her until she showed me some pictures she had taken in her camera phone ... TRUE STORY.

[jourdy]

I have a friend who is dating a guy whose sister use to date Devin Harris little brother. Well she got invited to a party that they were throwing at Devin Harris' house and she saw Josh Howard throwed!! She told me that he was smoking with a lot FINE honies and was so drunk and high that he was starting to act pretty foolishly. I didn't believe her until she showed me some pictures she had taken in her camera phone ... TRUE STORY.

I believe you. Gung-Ho looks stoned out there always. Maybe he hits it during halftime.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

I believe you. Gung-Ho looks stoned out there always. Maybe he hits it during halftime.

Exactly! That's what I was thinking, but I was too p*ssed to bring it forth. He must hit it during halftime. Makes me sick, I am so freaking disappointed about this.

[dirkforpres]

-= original quote snipped =-



Wow, and this coming from the poster who constantly criticizes me for every post/reply I make. Admitting pot use, past or present without interrogation is stupid. Smoking/Consuming it is even stupider in this day and age. He needs to grow up and so do you dfp with that attitude on 'pot'. 'Pot', 'Chronic', or whatever people are calling it has long term affects on the decision making process and the overall attitude one has. I have lost all respect for Josh Howard and I totally understand how come he disappears in the second half of games. It's such a contrast with a player like Dirk who you can tell does NOT use 'pot' (though he does get snookered from time to time ). This team depends too much on Josh Howard and the fact he's a stoner really scares me.

Would you put your faith and hope into a stoner who was doing anything else for you?

A construction worker?
Someone getting your latte?
A person taking care of your kids?
A safety inspector in a power plant?
A physician?

Then why the f*** would you put your faith in your starting SF to perform correctly?

Wow!

Are you (Please Use More Appropriate Word)? You obviously didnt even read the initial post with the quotes from Josh himself, because it says "NOT WHILE I PLAY BASKETBALL". Im not saying I like the fact that he smokes pot, but you are making it sound as if he is the only player doing it.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

He's on the Mavs, he admitted it and he does it. That's enough for me. I don't care if he does it outside of basketball. It affects him at all times. IT probably is the reason he's so lackadaisical and lethargic at times.

[king_of_kingz]

-= original quote snipped =-



Are you (Please Use More Appropriate Word)? You obviously didnt even read the initial post with the quotes from Josh himself, because it says "NOT WHILE I PLAY BASKETBALL". Im not saying I like the fact that he smokes pot, but you are making it sound as if he is the only player doing it.

Then you are implying that he smokes before the game, during half time, after the game, before practice, break during practice, after practice. Anytime he doesn't dribble a basketball or is on a NBA court or a court at his home, etc. Josh Howard smokes dope when he's not playing basketball. That begs to question, how much chronic he smokes per day.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

That begs to question, how much chronic he smokes per day.

Exactly.