Josh Howard News: Pro Sports Daily

Josh Howard's torn ACL is latest blow to Washington Wizards

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February 24

Washington Post

"Less than one day after the Washington Wizards celebrated a third win to cap what Coach Flip Saunders called their best four-game stretch of the season, the team received the sobering news that starting guard Josh Howard would be out the rest of the way with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Howard was hurt with 4 minutes 23 seconds left to play in the first quarter of Monday's 101-95 victory over visiting Chicago. To that point, Howard had scored a team-high seven points and appeared headed for another quality performance since joining the Wizards from Dallas in a multi-player trade over the all-star break. The announcement is the latest setback for a franchise that ..."

Josh Howard is done for the season after tearing ACL

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February 23

Washington Examiner

"Josh Howard, the centerpiece of the trade just over a week ago that sent Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas, will miss the remainder of the year after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament in a first-quarter collision during the Wizards' win over Chicago on Monday night. In four games (three starts), Howard averaged 14.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. Washington head coach Flip Saunders made the announcement after practice this morning. Surgery for Howard has not yet been scheduled. "To the credit of our players, Josh went out, we were down ten, guys came back and played," said Saunders. "So we're still going to go out and compete. We'll look around and bring ..."

Minus Howard, Wizards rally

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February 23

Washington Examiner

"The Washington Wizards lost to injury their most significant acquisition from a host of trade deadline deals last week, but it wasn't enough to stop them from winning for the third time in four games since the All-Star break. Josh Howard, who had averaged 17 points in three games since arriving in D.C. last week via a trade with Dallas that in part sent Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to the Mavericks, suffered a sprained left knee with 4 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. But Andray Blatche, who also was forced to the locker room for a portion of the third quarter with a bloodied right eye, had his third double-double (25 points, 11 rebounds) in four games to help ..."

Wizards' Josh Howard leaves game with sprained knee

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February 23

Washington Post

"The remade Washington Wizards may have a distance to go before the overhauled roster can be considered a hit, but in Monday night's 101-95 victory over the visiting Chicago Bulls, they continued their progress with a resolve that often was sorely lacking in the team's previous incarnation. Forward Andray Blatche led the Wizards with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds, and newcomers Al Thornton, James Singleton and Quinton Ross were significant contributors in Washington's third win in four games since the team parted ways with many of its core players. Josh Howard, another recent arrival, had to leave in the first quarter with what Wizards officials said was sprained left knee, but ..."

Al Thornton, Josh Howard lead new-look Wizards to victory

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February 20

Washington Post

"Josh Howard came behind Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, batted the ball in front of him, then sprinted ahead toward the sideline to track it down. He hurdled Ty Lawson to get the ball and soared feet first into the stands, landing on a cup of beer, knocking over another and causing a huge splash that drenched the folks in the front row. After landing on one fan's lap, Howard looked down and smiled. He later wiped the beverage off his leg and shoe, as fans at Verizon Center stood and applauded. "It's go hard or go home," Howard said after scoring 20 points in the Washington Wizards' surprising 107-97 win over the Nuggets on Friday night. "I think those fans enjoyed that. Hopefully ..."

Off court conduct may have led to Howard trade

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February 19

ESPN.com

"Forward Josh Howard missed a game because of a hangover, according to multiple team sources, adding to his list of questionable off-court conduct toward the end of his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks. Multiple team sources said Howard missed the Mavericks' Jan. 20 win over the Washington Wizards because of a hangover after a night of partying. That reaffirmed the Mavericks' intention to move forward without Howard, who did not start another game after sitting out against the Wizards, when he missed the morning shootaround and did not dress for that game. The Mavericks, who were already shopping Howard and wanted to protect his trade value, announced that he had a stomach illness. Howard, ..."

Howard bitter, but no-show gave Dallas Mavericks reason to trade him

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February 19

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Howard's exit from the Dallas Mavericks went from amicable to a bit testy after he made his debut in Washington on Wednesday night.Howard said after his first game as a Wizard -- he was 5-of-14 from the field with 14 points and one rebound in 27 minutes -- that he looks forward to being able to "stick it to the Mavs'' regarding the trade after six-plus seasons in Dallas.The Mavericks took the high road, with owner Mark Cuban saying only, "I wish Josh nothing but the best.''The juicy piece of irony is that Howard ended up in Washington, which may well have been the site where he had the beginning of the end, according to several Maverick sources.They say Howard had a long night of ..."

Night of partying might have led to Josh Howard's exit

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February 19

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard's exit from the Mavericks went from amicable to a bit testy after he made his debut in Washington on Wednesday night. Howard said after his first game as a Wizard that he looks forward to being able to "stick it to the Mavs" regarding the trade after six-plus seasons in Dallas. The Mavericks took the high road, with owner Mark Cuban saying only, "I wish Josh nothing but the best." The juicy piece of irony is that Howard ended up in Washington, which may well have been the site where he had the beginning of the end, according to several Maverick sources. They say Howard had a long night of partying on Jan. 19, the night after the Mavericks had won in Boston and less than 24 ..."

Mavs send Howard, Gooden to Wizards

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February 14

San Antonio Express-News

"The Mavericks traded forward Josh Howard and Drew Gooden to the Washington Wizards on Saturday in a seven-player deal that sent Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Dallas. Howard was in his seventh season with Dallas, a span filled with promise and disappointment since being the 29th overall pick in 2003. Gooden, who spent the end of last season with the Spurs before being signed by Dallas last summer, will be going to his eighth team in eight NBA seasons. The deal, which was announced just before the start of Saturday night's All-Star activities in the Mavericks' home arena, is a significant move for Southwest Division-leading Dallas (32-20). The Mavericks lost five of their seven games ..."

Caron Butler, Josh Howard headline Wizards' seven-player trade with Mavericks

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February 14

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards started their much-anticipated roster makeover on Saturday, trading Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to the Dallas Mavericks for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and two other players. The seven-player deal provides financial flexibility and substantially changes the look of the Wizards (17-33), who have foundered this season despite expectations that they would become a contender in the Eastern Conference. "We haven't achieved the things that we were hoping to," President Ernie Grunfeld said when reached by telephone. "We just felt like we need some change and we needed some freshness. Maybe this group together has gotten a little bit stale. Maybe we ..."

Mavericks acquire Butler, trade Howard to Wizards

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February 14

Dallas Morning News

"Kobe Bryant knows Caron Butler about as well as anybody in the NBA. They were Los Angeles Lakers teammates in 2004-05 and became workout buddies and close friends, spending early mornings on the track running sprints and afternoons in the gym. Bryant said the player the Mavericks are getting as the centerpiece to their trade with Washington will be an instant fan favorite. "You're going to love him," Bryant said. "I hate to say that, but you guys are going to absolutely love him. You put him on a contender and I'm telling you, you're going to love him. And he's tough as nails, too." The trade bringing Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to the Mavericks for Josh Howard, Drew ..."

Josh Howard-for-Caron Butler deal agreed on

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February 13

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Howard's tenure with the Mavericks, which began with quality production but eroded into inconsistency and controversy, is coming to an end.The Mavericks have reached a tentative agreement to send Howard, Drew Gooden and two other players to Washington for swingman Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson, numerous NBA sources said Friday.Though the deal still needs league approval, both sides have agreed on the moving parts in a trade that will cost the Mavericks more money but brings them more talent, at least in the short run.Butler is under contract through next season, at a cost of more than $10.5 million. He figures to slide into the role that Howard was ..."

Wizards in serious talks to trade Butler, Haywood and Stevenson to Mavericks for Josh Howard, two others

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February 13

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards are in "deep conversations" with the Dallas Mavericks about a deal that would exchange starters Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood and reserve DeShawn Stevenson for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and other yet-to-be determined secondary pieces, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The deal may be finalized by early next week. The teams have been discussing a trade for the past few weeks, but the talks stalled with the Wizards insisting on including Stevenson in any package. The Mavericks regained interest when Haywood was added to the proposal, according to a league source. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because talks are still ongoing. ..."

Mavericks reach tentative deal to trade Howard, Gooden for Wizards' Caron Butler, Haywood

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February 13

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard's tenure with the Mavericks, which began with quality production but eroded into inconsistency and controversy, is coming to an end. The Mavericks have reached a tentative agreement to send Howard, Drew Gooden and two other players to Washington for swingman Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson, numerous NBA sources said Friday. Though the deal still needs league approval, both sides have agreed on the moving parts in a trade that will cost the Mavericks more money but also brings them more talent, at least in the short run. Butler is under contract through next season, at a cost of more than $10.5 million. He figures to slide into the role that ..."

Wizards in serious talks to trade Butler, Haywood and Stevenson to Mavs for Howard, two others

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February 13

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards are in "deep conversations" with the Dallas Mavericks about a deal that would exchange starters Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood and reserve DeShawn Stevenson for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and other yet-to-be determined secondary pieces, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The deal may be finalized by early next week. The teams have been discussing a trade for the past few weeks, but the talks stalled with the Wizards insisting on including Stevenson in any package. The Mavericks regained interest when Haywood was added to the proposal, according to a league source. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because talks are still ongoing. ..."

Much-hyped Shaq-Howard battle falls short

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February 12

Akron Beacon Journal

"When Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard stood at the free-throw line in the second quarter Thursday night, the Cavaliers' always clever scoreboard elves posted a photo of a University of Michigan player striking the Heisman pose. It drew only a smattering of boos. Perhaps the fans at Quicken Loans Arena didn't need a gimmick to remind them of the Howard they most recently love to hate. It was Dwight Howard who dashed the Cavaliers' championship dreams last season in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The then-23-year-old center dazzled with the best game of his four-year career with a 40-point, 14-rebound performance to send the Magic to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. ..."

Josh Howard warming up to sixth-man role

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February 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Howard has managed to block out all the trade rumors surrounding him and appears to be warming up to his new role of coming off the bench.Howard looked like his old self Monday night at Golden State. He was aggressive driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line, finishing with a season-high 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting.Howard started Tuesday against the Nuggets because Shawn Marion's lower back tightened up before the game. He was solid again, scoring in double figures for a fourth consecutive game. Howard had 14 points by the end of the third quarter."

Mavericks' Josh Howard adjusting to sixth-man role

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February 10

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard has managed to block out all the trade rumors surrounding him and appears to be warming up to his new role of coming off the bench. Howard looked like his old self Monday night at Golden State. He was aggressive in driving to the basket and getting to the free throw line, finishing with a season-high 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Howard started Tuesday against the Nuggets because Shawn Marion's lower back tightened up before the game. Howard was solid again, scoring in double figures for a fourth consecutive game. Howard had 14 points by the end of the third quarter. Monday night's performance by Howard and Terry is what Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle envisioned when he put ..."

Rumors: Martin, Iguodala, Butler, McGrady

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February 8

ESPN.com

"Kevin Martin, Andre Iguodala and Caron Butler continue to be the three swingmen most frequently linked with Mark Cuban's trade-seeking Mavericks, who have been stonewalled in their attempts to pry Martin away from Sacramento and thus have not ruled out a move for Butler. Sources say that Washington and Dallas have maintained a Butler dialogue while the Wizards also continue talks with Houston in a larger deal for Tracy McGrady. As stated previously in this cyberspace, Martin tops the Mavs' list in their search for a dependable second scorer to flank Dirk Nowitzki. Sources say, however, that Dallas would likely have to recruit a third team to present the quality big man presumably needed to ..."

Frustrated Howard puts trade talk aside, provides spark off bench

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February 4

Dallas Morning News

"Last week, Josh Howard sat in Phoenix's US Airways Arena and said he considered being the Mavericks' sixth man "a job." It wasn't the passionate embrace of the role that the team was hoping to hear. At the time, Howard also said: "The media's been trying to trade me out of here for, like, three years." Asked if he thought he'd be a Maverick after the Feb. 18 trade deadline, Howard said: "That's a question you have to ask [management]. It's out of my control. We got six people coming off the books this year. I'm not the only one in this situation." He's right. But Howard gets all the attention in trade talk because of his contract and his spotty production. On Wednesday, however, Howard ..."

Howard changes his ways and his play

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January 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Mark Cuban has a theory about Josh Howard's play this season.It doesn't have anything to do with whether Howard is starting or coming off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks.It has to do with attitude.It is the team owner's opinion that the changes Howard has gone through off the court have had an impact on his play."Josh has worked so hard to be a good teammate and fit in that it's taken a little of the edge off him," Cuban said Thursday. "We've asked him to kind of change who he is a little bit, be - for lack of a better word - invisible. People were talking about him off the court. And he's done everything perfectly. He's been the ultimate professional and that sometimes takes an edge ..."

Mavericks' Josh Howard getting an A for attitude

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January 29

Dallas Morning News

"Mark Cuban has a theory about Josh Howard's play this season. It doesn't have anything to do with whether Howard is starting or coming off the bench. It has to do with attitude. It is Cuban's opinion that changes that Howard has gone through off the court have had an impact on his play. "Josh has worked so hard to be a good teammate and fit in that it's taken a little of the edge off of him," Cuban said Thursday. "We've asked him to kind of change who he is a little bit, be – for lack of a better word – invisible. People were talking about him off the court. And he's done everything perfectly. He's been the ultimate professional and that sometimes takes an edge off of what happens on the ..."

Howard likely to play Friday, not Saturday

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December 11

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard returned to action Tuesday against Phoenix and played 26 minutes. He might play only one of the back-to-back games tonight and Saturday against Charlotte, most likely tonight's. He will continue to come off the bench for now, but that's still 25 to 30 minutes that will cut into somebody else's time. "One of the important things for me to do is to get our core players playing well together," coach Rick Carlisle said. "There are five or six guys who have been here and are our main guys. [We have to] fit the others around them. The key to it working, of course, is players understanding that, sooner or later, everybody is going to be asked to contribute and getting down about ..."

Josh Howard To Return For Mavericks On Tuesday

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December 8

ESPN.com

"The Dallas Mavericks are about to get an unexpected booster shot for an offense that couldn't generate 80 points in Saturday's home loss to Atlanta. Mavericks swingman Josh Howard -- who has played only three games this season and sat out the past 13 in a bumpy recovery from offseason ankle surgery -- will make his return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns, coach Rick Carlisle confirmed to ESPNDallas.com. It was not immediately known whether Howard would start against the Suns, but he started in each of his previous three appearances this season to help Howard play at his loosest right after pregame warmups."

Dallas Mavericks hope to return to full strength in December with Dampier, Howard

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November 30

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks may not have played the toughest schedule so far, but they have played one of the busiest. As of Sunday, only Portland had played more games than the Mavericks. Starting today, and throughout December, things get a little more normal. After six back-to-back sets in the first 17 games, the Mavericks only have two such situations from now until the new year."We're definitely ready to make some hay," Jason Kidd said. At 12-5, the Mavericks aren't starving. Last year at this time, they needed seven wins in eight games just to get to 9-8.Optimism abounds for many reasons. After all, the holiday season is supposed to be joyous and the Mavericks have nine of their next 15 games at ..."

Dallas Mavericks sideline Howard

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November 14

Dallas Morning News

"The one thing coach Rick Carlisle wanted to avoid with Josh Howard was having him bouncing in and out of the lineup. But that's exactly what has happened. After starting three games, Howard was put back on the inactive list and will be out indefinitely to give his surgically repaired left ankle more time to heal. "This decision is about my health," Howard said. "I want to be 100 percent. There's no in-between with me. I tried in-between, and it wasn't best for me or my team. I just want to get healthy and help this team win." Owner Mark Cuban said the timetable for Howard's return is uncertain. "Anybody who puts out a date is guessing," Cuban said. "It could be a week or a month." ..."

Howard out indefinitely

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November 13

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard is going back on the inactive list indefinitely, coach Rick Carlisle said after the Mavericks' shootaround this morning. The Mavericks made the decision to give Howard more time to recover from his off-season left ankle surgery after he had difficulty in the second of back-to-back games earlier this week. Howard did not re-injure the ankle. But he was limping on it during the second half of the San Antonio game Wednesday and was taken out for the rest of the game. After the game, he called it a speed bump. Howard missed the first five games of the season, returned Saturday against Toronto and played solidly in two games before having trouble at San Antonio."

Howard limps out of Mavericks' loss to Spurs

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November 12

Dallas Morning News

"For the second season in a row, the Mavericks made a trip to San Antonio when the Spurs were missing two prongs of their superstar tripod. And, for the second time, the news was bad for the Mavericks - on multiple fronts this time. They tried to fashion another remarkable comeback, but it wasn't going to happen against the short-handed Spurs, who made enough plays to fend off the Mavericks, 92-83, Wednesday night at AT&T Center. The game was bad enough, but the news also was grim on Josh Howard, who left the game with 8:46 to go in the third quarter. It was his third game back after off-season ankle surgery. "He was limping, so we took him out," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's the first ..."

Howard's return helps Dallas

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November 8

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' inconsistent offense received a much-needed shot of energy Saturday night with the return of swingman Josh Howard. Howard made his season debut and helped spark a 129-101 rout over the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center in the Mavericks' most complete game of the season. Howard missed the Mavericks' first five games while recovering from off-season left ankle surgery. He started and scored 16 points in 24 minutes, fitting right in at shooting guard and into a lineup that's still adjusting to the addition of six new players. "I was nervous as hell out there," Howard said. "But after I made my first couple of free throws, I was able to tough it out." The ..."

Josh Howard's return date for Dallas Mavericks still uncertain

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October 27

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks did a lot of good things in the preseason, like prove that they can survive without Josh Howard. But, as coach Rick Carlisle said Monday, "All that stuff doesn't matter once you throw the ball up for the regular season. It's completely meaningless." So now, they find out for real how they can handle life without Howard, which could extend many games into the regular season. "We played seven games without him and we've become accustomed to it," Carlisle said. "It could be awhile. It could a few weeks. I don't know. We'll find a way without him. But we know we're better with him. When he comes back, we'll have to be ready to integrate him very quickly.""

Ankle, wrist injuries hampering Howard

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October 26

ESPN.com

"On the eve of the season opener, the Dallas Mavericks don't know when Josh Howard will be ready for game action. Howard, who underwent operations on his left ankle and wrist on May 22, wasn't cleared for any contact work until Oct. 14. He has yet to complete a full practice and will not dress out for Tuesday's opener against the Washington Wizards. While there is still some soreness in the wrist, the ankle is preventing Howard from playing. He had minor reconstructive surgery on the ankle, which had bothered him since his senior season at Wake Forest in 2002-03."

Dallas Mavericks need Howard in lineup

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May 6

Dallas Morning News

"This is what the Dallas Mavericks feared all along. This is what they couldn't afford to happen. The Mavericks success in these playoffs has always been tied to Josh Howard's health. He was the key figure in the team's first-round victory over San Antonio. The Mavericks won't get out of the second round without him. Even with him, their chances don't look good. "Look, our margin for error is not great, especially without Josh,'' Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "But there are things we can control and do better, and we'll have to do that going home.'' The Mavericks can't out-run or out jump Denver. We know this because Carlisle reminds us at every opportunity. We know this because ..."

Howard hobbled again, thanks to Billups collision

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May 4

Denver Post

"After Game 1 of the Nuggets-Mavericks series, the visiting quarters at the Pepsi Center looked more like a MASH unit than a locker room. On one side of the area, Mavs center Erick Dampier hobbled from his space to the shower area, each halting step looking more painful than the first. But an even bigger hurt - both in the here and now and perhaps for the rest of the Western Conference semifinal series - belonged to Mavs forward Josh Howard. After missing 30 games during the regular season, many because of an injured left ankle, Howard almost literally didn't have a good leg to stand on after Sunday's 109-95 loss. A second-quarter collision with Denver's Chauncey Billups left Howard ..."

Return of Howard helps make Mavs road warriors

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May 3

Denver Post

"So how did Dallas go from roadkill (18-23 in the regular season) to road warriors (2-1 at San Antonio in the first round) in the blink of an eye? Simple. They got Josh Howard back. "Josh was out for such a long period of time, we feel like he's our X-factor," forward Dirk Nowitzki said Saturday after practice at the Pepsi Center. "We need that third scoring threat on the weakside. We need him to make plays. And with all of the doubling that San Antonio did, he was phenomenal. I think he was actually our MVP in the first series." Howard played 52 games this season. But against San Antonio, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 49.2 percent from the field, ..."

Howard will be the X-factor for Dallas

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April 16

Dallas Morning News

columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor

"Seven months after the start of training camp, the Mavericks' fate remains in Josh Howard's hands. See, we know what Dirk Nowitzki will do when the playoffs start this weekend in San Antonio. And we know what Jason Terry and Jason Kidd will do. We have absolutely no idea what Howard will do. We think we know, but we're not positive about Howard, who averaged 18.1 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. Not after last year's performance against New Orleans, when he played poorly, and the Hornets booted the Mavs from the postseason in five games. And not after a regular season in which he played only 52 games, the fewest in his career, because of wrist and ankle injuries. The problem is we ..."

Injured Howard can't give Dallas Mavericks his best

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April 4

Dallas Morning News

"Any hope that the Mavericks will peak for the playoffs should be laid to rest. This team won't be at its best when the postseason opens in two weeks because Josh Howard won't be at his best. This isn't my observation. It's his. The forward is confident he will play. But his confidence stops there. "It's just what I can do," Howard said. "What I can get away with, is what I guess I can say. "I won't be 100 percent. I haven't been 100 percent all year. I've just got to get ready." Howard recently missed 11 consecutive games with an ankle injury that will require surgery once the season is over. He returned for the previous two games and looked good. But the ankle swelled up again and he ..."

With Josh Howard back, Dallas Mavericks romp

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April 1

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Maybe it's not worth marking on the calendar as the day the Dallas Mavericks got their mojo back. Not just yet. But at least they got their Josh Howard back - and some much-needed confidence. Looking a little more normal than they have for the past three weeks without Howard, they dismantled a Minnesota team that already was running on spare parts, pounding out a 108-88 victory Tuesday night at Target Center. Howard missed 11 games with a left ankle injury and the Mavericks went a pedestrian 6-5. He came back against the Timberwolves and they prospered. He was back in the starting lineup - a quintet that has gone 18-11 when it has been together this season. What was it like having Howard ..."

Howard's back and so are Dallas Mavericks in 108-88 win

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April 1

Dallas Morning News

"Maybe it's not worth marking on the calendar as the day the Mavericks got their mojo back. Not just yet. But at least they got Josh Howard back - and some much-needed confidence. Looking a little more normal than they have for the last three weeks without Howard, they dismantled a Minnesota team that already was running on spare parts, pounding out a 108-88 victory Tuesday night at Target Center. Howard missed 11 games with a left ankle injury and the Mavericks went a pedestrian 6-5. He came back against the Timberwolves and they prospered. He was back in the starting lineup - a quintet that has gone 18-11 when it has been together this season. What was it like having Howard back? "A ..."

Howard appears ready to return for Mavericks

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March 31

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Howard's season is about to resume, probably tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. First-hand accounts from teammates indicate that Howard has looked sharp in recent practices, but the clearest sign that his return is imminent came from Jason Terry after Monday's practice at the Target Center. "He looked great," Terry said. "Even last week, he was good in our last hard practice. He looked confident. I know he felt a little bit of pain, but the biggest test will be tomorrow [referring to tonight's game]. "If he hits that first shot, I'll bet he won't feel a thing tomorrow." That's the best news the Mavericks have received in about a week. Howard's left ankle problem is severe ..."

Howard's return could be catalyst for Dallas Mavericks

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March 31

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard's season is about to resume, probably Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Teammates have indicated Howard has looked sharp in recent practices, but Jason Terry offered the clearest sign of Howard's imminent return after Monday's practice at the Target Center. "He looked great," Terry said. "Even last week, he was good in our last hard practice. He looked confident. "I know he felt a little bit of pain, but the biggest test will be tomorrow," he said, referring to tonight's game against Minnesota. "If he hits that first shot, I'll bet he won't feel a thing tomorrow." That's the best news the Mavericks have gotten in about a week. Howard's left ankle problem is ..."

Time running out on Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard

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March 18

Dallas Morning News

"The injuryon Josh Howard sounds ominous. Arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle will be required sooner or later. That's the team saying that, not amateur physicians in the media. The Mavericks hope any procedure is later, not sooner. Even if it is, he will require a cortisone shot later this week and it will be at least next week before he is cleared to practice. Coach Rick Carlisle said it was "unlikely" Howard would play next week. It has become clear that the only priority is trying to get him healthy by the time the playoffs start. Surgery would be the worst setback. If that can be delayed until the off-season, Howard should be able to play at some point. "We're hoping for the ..."

Status of Dallas Mavericks' Howard a mystery

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March 11

Dallas Morning News

"The condition of Josh Howard's injured left ankle is becoming more uncertain. The Mavericks' small forward will be examined again Thursday by the same specialist who looked at him Monday. And while the Mavericks have said Howard will miss the first two games of their four-game trip, the possibility exists that his absence could be much longer, possibly until the end of March. The Mavericks hope Howard will be back sooner than later. But with the injury having flared up twice this season - Howard missed 11 games in November and December with it - it's conceivable he could miss a similar stretch this time. Tuesday night in Phoenix was the second straight game Howard has missed since ..."

All-Star break comes at a good time for Josh Howard

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February 13

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard's left wrist, which caused him to miss several games earlier this season, was killing him when he woke up Thursday morning. The pain didn't go away the rest of the day. Howard had to take a cortisone shot in the evening to play against the Celtics. The wrist still bothered Howard so badly that he couldn't go to his left. He had rough night, misfiring on 13 of 19 shots before fouling out with a little less than four minutes to go in the loss. Howard hopes four days of rest will do wonders for his wrist. Even if it doesn't, he vows not to miss any time, especially with Jason Terry already sidelined. "Just as long as I don't break it," Howard said, "I'm going to be out there.""

Howard takes up slack as Dallas Mavericks crown Kings

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February 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"No one had to send Josh Howard the memo. The moment he learned Jason Terry had gone down, Howard said he knew he had to step up his game. The first step was a big one. Terry's loss thrust Howard back into the secondary scoring role where he has flourished in past years. The forward responded with one of his better all-around games of the season in the Mavericks 118-100 win over Sacramento at American Airlines Center. Howard finished with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. He got the Mavericks going early - 16 of his points came in the first quarter - and he attacked the basket. He played a strong second half defensively. "Josh played great," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. He ..."

Mavericks need Josh Howard to lift his game

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February 10

Dallas Morning News

columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor

"The Dallas Mavericks will not make the playoffs if Josh Howard doesn't play his best basketball of the season while Jason Terry is out with a broken finger. This is not an overreaction to Terry's injury. Or an attempt to put more pressure on Howard to perform. It is simply reality. No one is asking Howard, in his sixth season, to do something he's not capable of achieving. The Mavs simply need Howard to do what he has done many times throughout his career. Howard has been solid – 17.8 points, 5.0 rebounds – when the injuries to his wrist have allowed him to play this season. No longer is that good enough. Not while Terry is out. Rick Carlisle needs Howard to be a difference-maker. The ..."

Dallas Mavericks get positive injury update on Josh Howard

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January 13

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks got a good report from team physician Dr. T.O. Souryal about Josh Howard's sprained left wrist. That's all it is, a sprained left wrist. The extensive tests showed no structural damage, with all ligaments and bones right where they're supposed to be. That doesn't mean Howard will be bouncing back into the lineup right away. He's still in Dallas, which means he'll miss tonight's game at Denver. And he's pretty much been ruled out for Wednesday's visit by New Orleans at the AAC."

Howard will miss at least two more games, have left wrist examined

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January 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Howard will accompany the team to Denver on Sunday night and then head back to Dallas to have his sprained left wrist examined. The forward will miss at least the next two games, tonight against Sacramento and Tuesday against the Nuggets, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.Howard sprained his wrist for a second time this season Friday night at Phoenix when he tried to brace a fall. He missed two games in November with a similar injury. Howard's status beyond Tuesday's game is uncertain. The Mavs play an important game Wednesday night at home against Southwest division rival New Orleans Hornets. "It's not ideal. It's not good at all," Carlisle said after the team's Sunday morning ..."

Dallas Mavericks miss Howard, shots in 102-95 loss

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January 12

Dallas Morning News

"As the Mavericks were getting whipped Sunday night by the Sacramento Kings, another group was taking a bigger beating. The Josh Howard bashers. For those who question the value of Howard, the Mavericks' 102-95 loss to the Kings provided a hard argument to fight. Without a strong third scoring option, the Mavericks' twosome of Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry were swarmed and the rest of the Mavericks had trouble taking up the slack. They lost their second game in a row on this trip, the first time since their 2-7 start that they've lost consecutive games. "This is a disappointing loss for us," coach Rick Carlisle said. "Our undoing was the 3-point line. We did not shoot it very well and ..."