Mavericks F Howard facing dicipline

Apr 26, 2008 - 3:39 PM DALLAS (Ticker) - Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard is apparently in trouble with the team after admitting that he uses marijuana during the offseason.

Howard first made his marijuana use public last summer and he confirmed to the The Dallas Morning News last weekend that he continues to use the illegal drug.

In an interview with 103.3 FM in Dallas on Friday, he expounded on his comments to the Morning News, stating among other things that, "Everybody in the media world and in the sports world knows that NBA players do smoke marijuana."

In response to the interview, Dallas owner Mark Cuban told the Morning News that Howard likely will be disciplined by the team.

"We'll deal with Josh," Cuban said. "We won't make it public. But we'll deal with it. We'll do what we need to do and deal with it internally, and that's it. End of story."

The Mavericks defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 97-87, on Friday and now trail that opening-round Western Conference playoff series two games to one. After the win, Howard tried to put the matter to rest.

"I'm sorry things have gone the way they are," he said. "I never meant to hurt nobody's feelings. ... It's over with now. I'm trying to talk about basketball."

Friday's interview was reportedly arranged by Howard and his representatives to address his earlier comments to the newspaper.

"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," Howard said during the radio interview.

Howard added that he "probably" would not smoke marijuana during the season if the league did not have a random testing program.

Mavericks coach Avery Johnson sounded less than pleased with Howard on Friday.

"It's what I call poor timing and poor judgment," Johnson told the Morning News.