Plenty of distractions for young NBA stars, Howard is no different than any other player

Josh Howard’s bad couple of weeks just got worse. Recently acquired Washington Wizards forward Josh Howard will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Howard was injured Monday night in Washington’s win over the Chicago Bulls, only his fourth game with the Wizards since being acquired from Dallas in a seven-player trade on Feb. 13.

No decision has been announced on whether Howard would have surgery.

Howard was plagued by criticism off the court while a Dallas Maverick, and was looking forward to starting over in Washington. Accused of missing a game due to hangover, Howard, Maverick officials, and fellow teammates have all said those accusations were false.

Whether he did or didn’t isn’t really important.

Josh Howard, whether real or implied, never really lived up to the potential that was blanketed over him the last couple of years in Dallas. Often criticized for what he wasn’t doing, it was easy to overlook what Howard was doing.

An All-Star reserve in 2007, Josh Howard created a high level of expectations. A confident player, Howard struggled with poor shot selection, was lackadaisical on defense, and was flamboyant off the court.

I was one that thought a new start somewhere else was what Josh Howard needed. A quality player, with a lot of upside, Howard is someone that you can build a team around.

He simply didn’t fit in Dallas.

This latest injury came at a terrible time for Josh. He started three games for Washington and scored 14.5 (averaged 15.3 in Dallas) points a game to help the Wizards go 3-1 since the deal.

It’s uncertain what Howard’s future is in Washington. Whether Howard is in the Wizards rebuilding plans remains to be see, but one thing is for sure. The only person that will prevent Josh Howard from becoming a regular All-Star selection and a star in this league is Josh Howard.

Howard’s partying is no different than any other young NBA player. Yet it’s a little concerning how much effort he puts into creating his image off the court, and the lack of dedication on it.

Howard wants to stay in Dallas if he's wanted

A believed target of the Mavericks, Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards, is being reportedly going to become a Houston Rocket according to multiple sources (first broke by Yahoo Sports).

Yet every supposed “insider” has a different location for Josh Howard to end up at. Howard for his part has stayed out of it, choosing to not say anything.

Being around Josh I believe he is confident that he will stay in Dallas, at least until the end of the season.

He is well aware of the rumors, he has been asked every night it seems about the rumors. He says he would much rather listen to those in the organization.

Within the organization, Howard says he hasn’t heard much on the trade front.

Howard, like many of the Maverick players, just wants to separate from the first half of the season and have a little fun this All-Star weekend. A reserve All-Star in 2007, Howard is playing party host.

If a trade happens? Josh simply said, “I’ll go to that team and do what I did here. Play hard.”

Howard intent is to grow each year as a player. Often the target of criticism in Dallas, Howard wants to stay in Dallas.

That is assuming the Mavericks want him.

“I do not want to be anywhere I am not wanted.”

Dallas might simply hold on to the team that they have now, and hope that their fortunes can turn in the second half.

At the end of the year, it’s pretty obvious that the Mavericks will make some changes. Josh Howard probably will not be resigned. So wouldn’t it make sense to make a move?

Howard once again refused to answer the question directly.

“I’m planning on being at practice on Monday with my teammates.”

As of right now, that’s still here in Dallas.