Art Garcia | Mavs.com
Posted: Oct. 6, 2007

Josh Howard often comes across as quiet and reserved publicly, but he wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s forthcoming and honest on any subject, including those that aren’t the easiest to talk about.

Howard’s college coach Skip Prosser died this summer shortly after jogging on campus at Wake Forest. Howard and Prosser were more than close. Though they butted heads early in their relationship, they would forge a lifetime bond.

Prosser talked about that bond with Howard last season before the Mavericks played at Charlotte.

“If I’m going into a street fight,” Prosser said in November, “I can’t think of anybody I’d rather have having my back than Josh Howard.”

Howard initially had trust issues with Prosser. After two years together, trust became basis of their relationship. Since Prosser tragically passed July 26, Howard has added two tattoos to honor his former coach.

“Trust” is inscribed on his right wrist. It won’t be visible during games, as Howard always wears wristbands, but the message is there. Higher on his right arm is a more direct tribute – “Skip.”

Howard also wore black sneakers Thursday night at Fan Jam, instead of his customary white, in honor of Prosser and plans to do it again.

Howard was actually in Winston-Salem, N.C., when Prosser collapsed inside his office after jogging at the school’s track stadium.

“I wish he could have come to my camp that day,” Howard said, his voice beginning to crack slightly. “He went jogging instead.”

Under pressure?

The Mavs have made a point of locking up many of their key pieces over the last year. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Devin Harris each signed extensions. Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse inked new free-agent deals when their contracts were up.

So does having security lead to added pressure or complacency?

“With that money comes a lot of responsibility,” Terry said. “You have to now go out and perform. There’s a little pressure there, but it’s healthy.

“It’s pressure that every player on this team has now. No one is worried about a contract. We all can go out there and play freely knowing what our ultimate goal is.”

So the money doesn’t get in the way?

“You go out there and you play like you don’t have any,” Terry added.

And should they feel the weight of added expectations, Avery Johnson said: “That’s my job to try to relieve them of that pressure.”

Stack on leadership

Jerry Stackhouse’s role on the court is clear – instant offense off the bench along with his trademark grit and attitude. In the locker room, Stackhouse feels it’s time to take on even more leadership.

“No doubt,” he said. “I’ve been a little passive watching how things worked around me. This year I’m going to come in and be myself. That’s what the guys really want from me.”

As for official captains, they’ll be voted on by the team before the season starts.

Layups

• Backup center Jamal Sampson tweaked his ankle Friday, but was fine Saturday. He expects to play in Tuesday in the preseason opener.

• The Mavs will have their first day off Sunday and resume practice Monday.