really good Josh Howard article

[dirt_dobber]

'He gave me this dream that I'm living right now'
By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram staff writer
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/267789.html

DALLAS -- Before training camp Avery Johnson pulled aside Josh Howard, the Mavericks' fifth-year small forward, and challenged him to become a better leader.

Johnson told Howard to act like he was a senior again at Wake Forest, when he carried a team of freshmen and sophomores to the school's first outright conference championship in more than 40 years and was the unanimous ACC Player of the Year.

For more than two months now, Howard's thoughts have indeed taken him back to Wake Forest, but to mourn his former coach and mentor, Skip Prosser, the man who first penetrated Howard's hardened exterior and taught him how to trust, how to play the game and how to live.

"Trust," Howard said. "That's the one thing he always said, 'You've got to trust me, Josh, I want you to trust me.'"

Then, Howard trusted no one. Now, "Trust" is tattooed on the top of his right wrist. His right biceps reads, "Skip."

Howard immortalized his coach in ink two days after Prosser, 56, collapsed and died after a routine jog around the track adjacent to his office.

Several hours before being pronounced dead July 26, Prosser was to speak at Howard's basketball camp in Winston-Salem, N.C., Howard's hometown and home to Wake Forest.

"He called me the day before to let me know he was coming," Howard said. "He was going to speak at the morning session."

Unaware Prosser had collapsed, Howard figured Prosser's absence was due to a last-minute scheduling conflict.

But when camp ended, Howard heard the news and, like the rest of the town, shut down and wept.

"I felt like I lost a father figure," he said. "That was the guy that turned my whole life around as far as the way I played the game and the way I approached life. He taught me so much."

Prosser took over the Wake Forest program before Howard's junior season. Initially, Prosser, hard-nosed and unrelenting, and Howard, impetuous and wary, clashed.

"Josh was an introverted, quiet young man that a lot of people didn't see what was beneath the exterior," said Dino Gaudio, Prosser's assistant head coach who has taken over the program. "What was beneath the exterior was greatness, not just in basketball, but no one could get at it."

Prosser, knowing he needed Howard to be a cornerstone of his new team, also recognized promise in a player who sometimes seemed aloof, sometimes didn't take his studies seriously enough and sometimes faced questions about his desire on the court.

"Skip really believed that kid could be great... he really believed that," Gaudio said. "People here, before we got here, they weren't sure he was going to make it at Wake Forest, that was the word we got. Skip thought he could be great, and the kid saw how much he believed in him.

"As late as last year, when Skip talks about the great leaders he's had, he talks about Josh Howard first."

Coming to grips

Howard and Chris Paul, the Hornets' dynamic point guard from Wake Forest, attended Prosser's funeral together.

The two rising NBA stars grew up in nearby towns. Their mothers attended high school together. Paul said Howard is the reason he chose to attend Wake Forest. He said Prosser sold him on Howard's story of hometown success, which included earning a sociology degree in four years.

"He always raved about Josh," Paul said of Prosser. "Josh is one of those guys, you don't always know what he's thinking. He doesn't let a lot of people get close to him, but Coach Prosser was one of those people who really cared about Josh, and Josh really cared about him. It was even more evident when coach passed."

The tattoos prove it. On Howard's shoulder is his grandfather's name and on his chest is his grandmother's address, the home where he was raised. Prosser is the only other person permanently enshrined on Howard's body.

A blue-collar coach from Pittsburgh, Prosser loved the Steelers, had Howard's dry sense of humor and made Howard laugh every time he said "yous guys."

Prosser's wife, Nancy, and their two sons, Scott and Mark, practically accepted Howard as a family member.

A week after Prosser died, Howard called Nancy, but she didn't answer the phone and he didn't leave a message. He hasn't called back.

"Once I call her it's all going to come back," Howard said. "I know she knows. He was her pride and joy. I'd just rather for her to mourn like I had to mourn and I still am, you know?

"But I've still got the number saved. I'm kind of scared to call her because I don't want those feelings to come back."

Honoring Skip

That's one reason why he's glad to be back on the basketball court.

"I'm going to play hard like he had me playing when he was here," Howard said. "That's all I can think about is dedicating the rest of my life to him. He gave me a life. He gave me this dream that I'm living right now. It's just all for him now."

So far, Howard, who's still not completely comfortable as a vocal leader, has given Avery Johnson an inspired effort.

"Josh Howard is maturing," Johnson said. "Sometimes you get guys trying to hide in drills, but he was out front and center in every drill and that's something I talked to him about before the season."

It's a season that will reap Howard significant financial rewards as his four-year, $40 million extension kicks in, making him the second-highest paid player on the team behind Dirk Nowitzki.

And it could reap the Mavs gains, too, if he continues his ascension. Last season Howard made his first All-Star team as an injury replacement and recorded career highs in scoring (18.9), rebounds (6.8) and minutes (35.1).

His practice effort so far led to Johnson naming him a captain in Friday night's preseason game at Chicago. Johnson selects two captains before each preseason game, but the coaching staff and players will choose two permanent captains for the regular season. Nowitzki figures to be one.

For Howard, to be the other might be the most meaningful way to honor his beloved coach.

[Usually Lurkin]

what a guy. trade 'im for Kobe.

[sike]

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

what a guy. trade 'im for Kobe.

who doesn't love UL?

[DavidDaMonkey]

Can someone explain to me what it logistically means to be a captain?

[ty]

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

what a guy. trade 'im for Kobe.

Hahah, that's awesome.

[sike]

you get a big C on your jersey

[jthig32]

Captains are generally given more leeway in speaking to the refs.

And you meet at center court before each game to the refs can tell you what kind of things they're looking for, what they'll be calling, etc.

That's about it.

[LonghornDub]

Great article.

[sike]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Captains are generally given more leeway in speaking to the refs.

And you meet at center court before each game to the refs can tell you what kind of things they're looking for, what they'll be calling, etc.

That's about it.

plus, the chicks dig the "C"

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by sike

plus, the chicks dig the "C"

True, but I don't think most NBA teams actually do that, do they?

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by jthig32

True, but I don't think most NBA teams actually do that, do they?

Maybe they're going to copy cat the NFL's copying of the NHL (who probably copied soccer or something)

[ty]

Soccer is all about the yellow captain's arm band.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Maybe they're going to copy cat the NFL's copying of the NHL (who probably copied soccer or something)

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Yes you are correct, they also copied. I believe there are only something like 4 MLB teams that have actually named official "captains" right?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Howard is going to be over 20 ppg this season for sure.

[DavidDaMonkey]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Captains are generally given more leeway in speaking to the refs.

And you meet at center court before each game to the refs can tell you what kind of things they're looking for, what they'll be calling, etc.

That's about it.

So basically its like being the Queen of England?

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by DavidDaMonkey

So basically its like being the Queen of England?

except the don't negotiate with foreign leaders, and aren't viewed as sovereign over australia and canada. but yes, other than those 2 things, being a captain of an nba team is the same as being queen of england.

[DavidDaMonkey]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

except the don't negotiate with foreign leaders, and aren't viewed as sovereign over australia and canada. but yes, other than those 2 things, being a captain of an nba team is the same as being queen of england.

All right, glad we cleared that up.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Captains are generally given more leeway in speaking to the refs.

And you meet at center court before each game to the refs can tell you what kind of things they're looking for, what they'll be calling, etc.

That's about it.

It also involves more the symbolism aspect, that of being a leader of the team. That's why it's an honor and it's important.

[mqywaaah]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Howard is going to be over 20 ppg this season for sure.

Not only that, I think he will also live up to his being an All-Star last season. And I think he can/will repeat for a second one.

[dude1394]

well he sure looks like the best player on the team at the moment. I want to see him play the second half of games as well.

Only problem I have is that he's so poor at passing the ball that once teams being to double him a little bit I don't know how he'll handled it. Unfortunately I fear he'll just jack it up anyway to stay "aggressive".

[alby]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Howard is going to be over 20 ppg this season for sure.

He would average above 24 ppg on the Lakers.

[G-Man]

I wrote this post before "the shove" and fell asleep and forgot to post it.

"I'm going to play hard like he had me playing when he was here," Howard said. "That's all I can think about is dedicating the rest of my life to him. He gave me a life. He gave me this dream that I'm living right now. It's just all for him now."

This is a great article. Reminds me of the ones from last summer about Howard turning down Team USA because he's committed to his youth camps. While Kobe's raod was paved with the incredible luck of being drafted out of high school to play on Shaq's team, Howard's way has been all about the struggle. He's at his best when he's trying to prove something. Now he's saying stuff like this?

I'm really looking forward to seeing how having a true offensive assistant coach on the bench helps the Mavs, and I think Howard will be a major beneficary. Everybody talks about how Howard disappears in the 4th quarter, but doesn't Avery usually go to his 2 man game with Dirk and Jet? Its very effective, so you can't blame him, but I think making Howard a 4 quarter option needs to be a team focus. If he's averaging 18 now, no reason he can't do 22. .. that's just 2 more 2nd half buckets.

[nowhereman]

we should all take a time out and reflect on josh's development. It is exciting to think he is not yet through the first half of his career.

[dude1394]

Hmm..some other interesting stats about Josh. They are telling Josh to get stronger which I think would be a plus, also working on his assists, not sure about that one. But he really is coming on it appears.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...d.2cb4236.html

Pippen's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds
FIFTH SEASON: 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds

Howard's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds

[dirt_dobber]

(whole article from above post)

No bull: Mavericks' Howard may be a Pippen clone
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Scottie Pippen was one of a kind.

Josh Howard has said all along that he would like to change that.

And while the world mostly remembers Pippen as the best sidekick in NBA history, and that Howard is merely a one-time All-Star who has yet to win one-sixth as many NBA titles as Pippen was part of, a couple of facts link them.

After four seasons, they both had the same number of trips to the NBA Finals – one, although Pippen also had a ring with the Chicago Bulls.

They both were just finding out how good they can be playing behind – and beside – an MVP.

Howard has said since he came into the league that he's patterned his game after Pippen's, trying to do the slithery, sneaky stuff that Pippen mastered in midcareer.

And, by the way, being a 20-point scorer wouldn't hurt, either. But it's not just about the scoring. It's about everything. It's about having the kind of overall game that made Pippen so unique. He wasn't Michael Jordan. But he wasn't bad.

Howard is no Dirk Nowitzki. But he is a rare talent nonetheless.

"It's a step I would love to take. It's just a matter of time," Howard said. "I love being the sidekick to Dirk. I think Scottie played that role great. He was the greatest No. 2 of all time. And on any other team, he'd have been No. 1.

"So he respected other players. That's one thing I took from him when I was watching him growing up. MJ was the star, and Scottie knew his role. It's kind of like me. Dirk's our star, and I know my role. Hopefully, I can do it."

Howard is aware that any comparisons when his career is over will hinge on earning championships. The Mavericks are 0-for 1 in trips to the Finals. The Bulls went 6-for-6 with Jordan and Pippen.

Those sort of comparisons are unfair, of course. But life's never been fair. Howard has gone through a rough summer with the death of his college coach, Skip Prosser. Howard learned to deal with life and basketball while playing at Wake Forest under Prosser. Those lessons have served him well.

Now, Howard understands that he has the talent and drive to be a special player.

Efforts to reach Pippen were unsuccessful, but he told Mavericks coach Avery Johnson during off-season meetings that he was a big fan of Howard.

"[Pippen] was impressed with him, he just thought there was a whole other level for him to go," said Johnson, who has made a point of showing Howard videos of Pippen, Sean Elliott and other players with games similar to the 6-7 Howard.

Robert Horry, San Antonio's seven-ring-owning forward, understands the potential that Howard has and gives him the utmost respect.

"He's like I was when I was young," Horry said. "That's the one thing we don't have on our team – a long, lanky wing guy that is athletic and can do pretty much everything. I used to be able to, but now I can only do it for one possession, maybe."

Johnson emphasizes that Howard is going to get every opportunity to be a Pippen clone. He already has the scoring ability, the shooting, the slashing and the defensive instincts.

He's Pippen without the big nose in so many ways.

But one thing is missing. Pippen averaged 5.2 assists for his career.

Howard has averaged fewer than two assists per game in all four seasons. And that's something Johnson and Howard expect to change if he's to become the new-age Pippen.

"I think he's maturing to that level, and that's a good example for him," Johnson said of Howard. "We let him run the offense a little bit more, get us into some plays last year. I think that can be effective for us.

"More than anything, I think Josh just needs to keep his body strong. Josh is a warrior. Josh is a stud. Josh can just flat-out play. But he needs to get better, he needs to get stronger and keep his body strong all year."

A lot has been made of Howard's fast start to games. By far, his production in the first quarter was his best of the game, on average. The flip side to that is he often faded in the second half.

"He's one of the guys I'm really looking forward to working with," new Mavericks assistant coach Mario Elie said. "Josh always gets off to these great starts and then disappears. We're going to work hard on that. He plays pretty much the same position I did, so I hope to lend some expertise there."

It would be another step in Howard's progression. And he understands that it isn't a trip that he can fast-forward. He won't become what he wants to be in a day or a year. It will take a career that evolves and grows.

"There's not many guys who come in and can get a championship in their first four or five years," Howard said. "I know we had an opportunity two years ago, but I'm in it for the long haul. Hopefully, I can get it here in Dallas. I'd love to stay here my whole career."

Especially if it means eventually being mentioned in the same breath as the player he's emulating.

JOSH WANTS TO BE LIKE SCOTTIE

Scottie Pippen won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. The Mavericks' Josh Howard wants to pattern his game after Pippen's. Staff writer Eddie Sefko compares the two at the same point in their careers:

Pippen's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds
FIFTH SEASON: 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds

Howard's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds

[DelNegro]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

Scottie Pippen won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. The Mavericks' Josh Howard wants to pattern his game after Pippen's. Staff writer Eddie Sefko compares the two at the same point in their careers:

Pippen's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds
FIFTH SEASON: 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds

Howard's progression
ROOKIE SEASON: 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds
SECOND SEASON: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds
THIRD SEASON: 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds
FOURTH SEASON: 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds

While I really respect Josh Howard, Sefko is getting carried away. You can't say Josh is as good as one of the greatest all around players to ever play the game and then just focus on points and rebounds to validate it. In their respective 4th seasons on top of those point and rebound totals Pippen was also averaging 6.2 assists per game (Josh 1.8), 2.4 steals (Josh 1.2), 1.1 blocks (Josh 0.8) and to top it all off Pippen made the All-Defensive team.

Josh Howard is a really, really good player. But come on. He's not in Scottie Pippen's class. Not now, not ever.

Although it does say good things about Howard for him wanting to set his goals that high.

[alby]

Scottie Pippen is a good player, but nowhere near the player people perceive him to be.

[ty]

Originally Posted by alby

Scottie Pippen is a good player, but nowhere near the player people perceive him to be.

Scottie took a lot of ill-advised shots.

[sike]

while great, Pip was not all that much better than Marion.

[ty]

Although after watching past Bulls games--of all duos, I would hate to be trapped at halfcourt by MJ and Pip. =/

[alby]

I'd take marion.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by alby

I'd take marion.

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by DavidDaMonkey

Can someone explain to me what it logistically means to be a captain?

This !!!