Mark Cuban to Josh Howard: 'Cellphone Cameras Are Not Your Friend'

When Mark Cuban learned about Josh Howard's latest self-inflicted controversy, he threw down the hammer! Or something like that. (As in, "not like that at all.") From the Dallas Morning News:

"That said, we will be going through some advanced communication-skill sessions together this training camp," Cuban said Tuesday. "I have explained to him that cellphone cameras are not your friend and that what you think you said on camera is never what people will hear when it shows up on YouTube or TV.

"There is only one universal response that works: 'Both teams played hard.''

I won't demonize Howard for his glib disrespect of national anthem. (To be honest, I'm more offended when patriotism is enforced at the expense of people's rights.) So in that respect, I'm happy Cuban didn't overreact. On the other hand, I'm also annoyed at Cuban's response. Is a lack of media training really the problem? I don't believe it, and I doubt Cuban does either. Howard has been in the league too long not to understand the perils of fame or know the evils of the camera phone.

If I had to guess, I'd say Howard's "problem" is that he simply doesn't care about courting public approval. This isn't new: he didn't backtrack when asked about his use of marijuana, even though almost every other athlete would have bit his tongue to avoid controversy. I don't share Howard's attitudes toward the anthem, but when he finally addresses the video to the media, I'd much rather hear him explain what he actually believes than simply read a prepared apology handed to him by the Mavs' PR staff.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

9-17-2008 @ 4:52PM

George said...

Just another overpaid illiterate thug,sad in sports when they pay someone 9 mil a year that can't even speak proper English and has the IQ of a potato.

9-17-2008 @ 5:00PM

jay said...

Get ready for more disrespect of America in an Obama Presidency.... This type of attitude is the tip of the ice berg...

9-17-2008 @ 5:27PM

Bill said...

Thats all you can say Cuban? Thats all you got after hearing your player say what he said? After the guy puts his foot in his mouth for the 5th time. I think I know now why the Mav's can't win anything with all the talent they have. He fires Avery Johnson because he was too hard on players like Howard. This is a guy who lost game 4 in the playoffs then ignored his coach's rule to not drink by throwing a party. Yeah Avery was the problem. Mark Cuban should just change his name to the enabler.But God forbid he admonishes one of his players. Then they won't let him feel like one of the guys anymore. Just pathetic Cuban.

9-17-2008 @ 6:56PM

David said...

"Just another overpaid illiterate thug,sad in sports when they pay someone 9 mil a year that can't even speak proper English and has the IQ of a potato."

Am I the only one who sees like a tiny bit of subliminal racism in a post like this?

I'm not calling George a racist. But I do think it's interesting that people *never* call white athletes who do dumb things "thugs."

It happens subconsciously.

Anyway, if you know anything about Josh Howard you know that he's actually pretty smart and well spoken (and not a "thug"). That's very obvious when you read the extended interviews that he's done with people like Henry Abbott.

He just doesn't care about appeasing you, and that's his right (even if I think what he did in this case was wrong, which I do).

9-17-2008 @ 7:40PM

Matt Watson said...

No, you're right. In fact, the racisim is barely subliminal.

9-18-2008 @ 6:01PM

Jeff said...

Um I believe josh brought in racism in first. Remember he doesn't celebrate that **** "National Anthem" because he is black. I guess that means in his mind he is not American. Yes I am sure that he feels mistreated making such a terrible salary for playing a game.

9-17-2008 @ 6:59PM

taylor said...

howard and cuban are both pieces of illiterate trash bolth tarnished in many ways and deserving of each other.one dumb black and one piece of trailer trash and a reporter named matt watson who should move to a 3rd world country. as a whole the mavericks . they suck together, sleep together and lose together. i wish i could really say what i think about them top to bottom. none of them belong in this country. plus i hate f------ basketball.

9-18-2008 @ 3:12AM

Greg said...

I agree with the content of your message, although I would state it a bit differently. I think that all three of the idiots, Howard, Cuban, and Watson could all be rehabilitated. BS!!!!! Howard should be playing Bball in Iran where he would be appreciated for his unpatriotic rights, Cuban will be stuck in daycare for adult babies, and Watson should go in the Army where he'd learn what sacrifice for one's country allows Commucrats to write the garbage that he does and get paid for it.

9-18-2008 @ 12:04PM

kRAzY Eddie said...

cuban should buy a plane ticket for josh to one of the refugee camps some where in the world,anywhere cause there is a lot of refugee camps, but anyways,maybe a reality check for josh is in order,maybe he will come back with another appreciation for the brave and home of the free,maybe he should be put next to the real heroes of this nation the solder so that he can experience what the real life and death situation is,until then he is just going to be some punk ass bitch that doesnt appreciate what this nation has to offer,and for ever more GOD BLESS AMERICA FOR WITHOUT GOD WE ARE TRUELY DOOMED.

9-17-2008 @ 8:09PM

jake said...

who is matt woosey? who does he think provided the freedom he has to make silly sophomoric comments. must be a little pc college boy.

9-17-2008 @ 10:42PM

Yeah, who *is* Matt Woosey?

9-17-2008 @ 9:25PM

Mark said...

That whole video is full of people disrespecting the national anthem of the USA. It's a classic from it's "all about me generation." Shame on them for not understanding respectful behavior. I feel blessed that I know how to behave whenever any national anthem is being played.

9-17-2008 @ 9:47PM

masgunner said...

so what will Cuban allow howard to do when the anthem is being played in the first game? Does Cuban asked the crowd, "hey if you want to hear the national anthem leave the arena, we have players who don't believe in it nor do they want to hear it! If your going to hate the country you live in, be open about it and say it!

9-17-2008 @ 10:00PM

Dennis Robart said...

Memo to Mr. Josh Howard-

HEY STUPID COLLEGE GRAD- CRISPUS ATTUCKS WAS BLACK TOO! MAYBE YOU SHOULD READ UP ON YOUR HISTORY-

HE DIED FOR YOUR FUTURE LIBERTY, FOOL!

9-17-2008 @ 10:26PM

don said...

Typical obama supporter. Neither respects the flag. Another racist voter. At least he was not bashful in demonstrating his racism.

I think they should make all citizens pass a literacy and intelligence test to vote. We just might get improved leadership if we did.

9-19-2008 @ 11:59PM

Mavro said...

Disrespect comes from ignorance...period! It is found in ALL HUMAN BEINGS at one time or another...even you! Reading posts on AOL message boards is an excellent way to see just how ignorant many Americans are...really! Vicious name-calling and character assassination are the chief weapons used by posters who hide behind the anonymity (shield) of the internet!!!

#14 - Don

You don't want to go there...trust me.

If literacy and intelligence tests were required, judging by its posts, 80% of AOL posters would fail miserably.

And, heaven forbid...what would that say about elected officials....

9-17-2008 @ 11:27PM

Zindude said...

Hey Mr. Black Man; the anthem is a celebration of our country and pays tribute to all AMERICANS, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Native American who fought and died for your right to earn your sick, obscene salary. You add nothing to this country with your attitude: you don't cure cancer, you don't protect our streets, you don't educate our children. All you do is bounce a stupid ball and throw is down through an iron circle. The anthem doesn't mean anything to you because your a black man? You disgust me, you barely High School educated bozo. Cuban is no better. He's a nimrod with a Napolean Complex who has too much money. You Mr. Watson, give them press when neither deserve the time of day.

9-17-2008 @ 11:36PM

the truth said...

ohh someones sees racism in a post, but this b ball player says hes "black" and doesnt heed the national anthem, but thats not racist. pathetic wimps you guys are. ohh the "thug" word is racist, ohh my, ohh how racist. but come right out and say you are black and that absolves you of just about anything, no....not racist. wimps

9-18-2008 @ 12:08AM

Racism -

" 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

2 : racial prejudice or discrimination"

What Josh Howard said was stupid, but it wasn't racist.

When saying that he doesn't like the anthem because he's black he was obviously alluding to the fact that he thinks his country keeps the black man down.

(note that that isn't my personal opinion).

He also could be joking around. It's hard to tell based on a 8 second video clip.