Mavericks F Howard arrested for street racing

Aug 2, 2008 - 1:22 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was arrested on charges of street racing late Thursday night, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News.

Howard, who is hosting a basketball camp in his hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was pulled over when police clocked him at 94 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. According to the newspaper, an officer spotted Howard's black Lexus and another vehicle speeding on U.S. Highway 421 shortly before midnight.

The 28-year-old was charged with speeding, reckless driving and racing. Howard was released on a written promise to appear in court on September 23 in Winston-Salem. The alleged street racing took place in the same state where former Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills died in a similar incident on January 12, 2000.

The arrest is the latest transgression for Howard, who has not been endearing himself to the Mavericks' brass lately.

He caused a controversy during the playoffs when he spoke about his offseason marijuana use on a local radio show before Game Three of the Mavericks' first-round series against the New Orleans Hornets. Howard also was out celebrating his birthday at a nightclub with teammates after a loss in Game Four, which caused former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson to cancel practice the next day. Dallas lost the series in five games.

Howard struggled in the postseason after a career year. The fifth-year veteran averaged 19.9 points and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season, but managed just 12.6 points per game and shot just 29.2 percent in the playoffs.