Howard returns to Mavs, finds motivation from critics

DALLAS -- Josh Howard returned to the Mavericks lineup Saturday night, making his 2009-10 debut in a blowout over the Raptors. If you ask Mark Jackson, it came about eight days and four games too late.

The ESPN analyst and possible Hall of Famer intimated as much during the Mavericks-Lakers broadcast on Oct. 30. Watching Howard warm up before the game, which included running sprints from sideline to sideline, Jackson said the injured swingman looked good and, if it was him, he would be playing.

That analysis didn't sit too well with the blunt and heart-on-his-sleeve-wearing Howard.

"He said that from just watching me run," Howard told NBA.com before his first game back. "He could have got up and got it from the horse's mouth instead of just putting something out there. I never met the man before in my life. For him to say that makes me wonder what people's motives are.

"Other than that I just keep playing. Hopefully he'll find the [guts] enough to apologize about it. I wouldn't talk bad about his commentating, especially since I don't know him."

Don't expect these two guys to exchange Christmas cards next month.

Coming off a pair of significant offseason surgeries -- left ankle and left wrist back in May -- Howard knew he wouldn't be ready until sometime after the season started. He said as much before the start of training camp, estimating it might be mid-November at the earliest before his return.

Howard ended up beating his own timetable, systematically increasing his workload throughout the preseason and once the real games began. Jackson's comments not only caught him off guard, Howard said it put out the impression nationally that the possible 2010 free agent was sandbagging it.

"Oh, I heard it. It's sad," Howard said. "There's so much other stuff I have to deal with than respond to that [stuff]."

Howard, though, hasn't sought out Jackson and doesn't plan to. The Mavericks are on ESPN on Nov. 18 against San Antonio. Jackson is scheduled to call that game.

"No, if anything he needs to come say something to me," Howard said. "I heard Jeff Van Gundy tried to stick up for me. [Jackson] don't know what it's like in my shoes. I had two major surgeries. I don't give a [flip] if he was Mark Jackson back in the day.

"Stuff like that is just extra motivation. I just go out and play ball. I guess he's trying to live through me."

Howard laughed after that last sentence. He seemed more annoyed than angry with the whole Jackson episode, adding that his focus is getting back to his old self. Howard is also transitioning to the backcourt this season from his customary small forward position, which has been turned over to Shawn Marion.

Howard, a career 15.6-point-per-game scorer, averaged 18 last year. He moved well Saturday night, scoring 16 and grabbing four boards in 24 productive minutes. That familiar hop was back in his step.

"Josh was aggressive, which he is. It's his nature," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "I thought the best thing to do was to start him. He's going to be one of our stars and one of our best players. I thought the guys playing with him did a good job of understanding the situation of looking to get him opportunities to attack and do some things."

Added Marion: "It's really great having another weapon out there."

Howard gives Jason Kidd another legit scoring option, along with Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Marion. Inconsistency has been an issue for the Mavs so far, but the offense erupted for a season-high 129 points against Toronto. Howard just wanted to get back into the flow.

"I ain't 100 percent, but I'm getting there," the seven-year pro said. "Just the fact of me getting out there and playing, I've been practicing with the team since training camp, building my wind and trying to get back to basketball shape. It's going to take some time for everything to fall back into place."

Just don't call Howard a shooting guard.

"No. I'll never say I'm a shooting guard," he quipped. "I'll just continue doing my thing -- playing the 3 at the 2. I have to guard smaller guys and do a little more running, which I have to get used to again."

This is essentially a contract year for Howard, but he's trying not to look at it that way. The Mavericks own an option for next season, completing the four-year deal for $40 million signed in 2006.

Howard hopes to stay in Dallas. The vibe from the team's front office is mutual, even with all of J-Ho's off-court issues the last few years. But talks of an extension or even picking up the option haven't taken place and more than likely won't during the season.

Whatever happens, it'll get worked out after. Howard, drafted with the last pick of the first round in 2003, acknowledges the possibility of looking for a new home next summer. Either way, he doesn't seem worried.

"You know what next year is right -- 2010," he said. "I'd love to be here, but every NBA player knows there's some chance you won't be with the team you started off with. I love these guys. My first and foremost move is to stay here. I've made it known this is where I want to be."

Art Garcia has covered the NBA since 1999. You can e-mail him here. You can also follow him on Twitter.

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