Howard makes season for Mavs

DALLAS (AP)—Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Howard(notes) was in the starting lineup against the Toronto Raptors in his season debut Saturday night.

Howard missed all of the preseason and the first five games while recovering from surgery on his left ankle and left wrist on May 22.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he doesn’t want to set unrealistic expectations for Howard, who has had limited practice time. Carlisle knows it’s especially important for Howard to develop chemistry with forward Shawn Marion(notes), acquired from Toronto in a three-team deal in July.

“The most important thing about this is he’s gone through one process, having two surgeries in one day and a six-month rehab, and this starts another process, getting back to being on the floor,” Carlisle said. “It’s important to understand that what he’s been through, expectations are somewhat tempered. This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for a while and we’re excited he’s available.”

Howard averaged 18 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.

37 Comments

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  1. Jason C
    37. Posted by Jason C Sun Nov 8 5:25pm EST

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    True@everyone saying the Mavs should trade Howard. They were performing pretty well without him. Let him play and build up his trade value again, then send him on his way...

    A Center/Power Forward would be the missing piece they needed. But who is available? The Suns are always trying to unload Amare for some reason...If they were willing to trade him for Stephen Curry then why wouldn't they be up for a Howard/Stoudemire trade?

    Greg Oden doesn't even start for the Blazers so that would be worth a shot trying to get him.

    Hmmm I can't really think of anyone else that would be available except for maybe Carlos Boozier. Seems like he would actually fit in well with the Mavs and Utah is in need of a scoring SG/SF. Make it happen Mark Cuban!
  2. GO BACK TO IRELAND STUPID BOSTON KELTICS
    36. Posted by GO BACK TO IRELAND STUPID BOSTON KELTICS Sat Nov 7 10:08pm EST

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    DIRK THE JERK is a nazi
  3. Livin' the Vegas Life
    35. Posted by Livin' the Vegas Life Sat Nov 7 10:07pm EST

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    Hey Mark Cuban, trade Josh Howard while you can something for him. Mark my words, Howard will come up lame again or say something that insults people's intelligence. He is not a great player or teammate. The Mavs can use another strong rebounder, or a solid shooter. Get rid of Josh Howard!
  4. Steven
    34. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 7 10:04pm EST

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    he is the one that got arrested for sexual assault with chris webber.
  5. <i>ea15@...</i>
    33. Posted by ea15@... Sat Nov 7 9:59pm EST

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    The mavs can be be a championship team in my mind but they don't have a solid interior post presence like Shaq or Stoudamire. Dampier And Gooden @ the 5 ain't going to get the mavs anywhere. They should start playing SMALL with Nowitzki @ the 5.
  6. Ericson
    32. Posted by Ericson Sun Oct 11 9:42pm EDT

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    i dont think so?
    Josh Howard is still an elite player..
    hes been there for the mavs through good times and bad times


    GO! GO! GO! Mavericks
  7. lava8a x
    31. Posted by lava8a x Sun Oct 11 2:54pm EDT

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    Hey Mavs fans, would you trade Josh Howard for Monta Ellis?
  8. lava8a x
    30. Posted by lava8a x Sun Oct 11 2:53pm EDT

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    hey Mavs fans, would you trade Josh Howard for Monta Ellis?
  9. Bird
    29. Posted by Bird Sun Oct 11 8:07am EDT

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    Avid Mavs fan looking forward to another dissapointing season. (Along with Cowboy's, Rangers, and Stars). The 'D' in Dallas also stands for Disappointment when it comes to pro sports!
  10. <i>bigbolo_486</i>
    28. Posted by bigbolo_486 Sun Oct 11 1:28am EDT

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    rockets??? they are not going anywhere.. to be honest i hate the way yao ming plays... he makes all Asian ballers look bad. to inform LUVSTER # 26 at least we got rings when hakeem was around. spurs got there rings.. where is dallas??? sry dallas fans but as long as u got dampier saying dumb things like he is the 2nd best center in the west, you guys will never when a ring. Oh yea let me add that mcgrady put shawn bradley into retirement and you can check that out on youtube.
  11. Lynell
    27. Posted by Lynell Sat Oct 10 10:09pm EDT

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    the mavs are gonna shock some people...and dirk should be comfortable now with marion, josh, and lets not forget jason terry, and kidd.
  12. LUVSTER
    26. Posted by LUVSTER Sat Oct 10 9:18pm EDT

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    bigbolo_486 post25:
    Well I haven't seen your rockets in a Finals lately.
    Gee congratulations on finally winning a playoff series too.
    At least the Mavs beat the spurs last year
    At your rate I guess your team sucks as well.
    Good luck getting more rebounds and dunks without Yao.
    No DOOFUS actually Stern and his refs took the ring away from Cuban.
    Replays on youtube proof that.
  13. <i>bigbolo_486</i>
    25. Posted by bigbolo_486 Sat Oct 10 7:40pm EDT

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    mavs just suck period. Even if they are all healthy they are no better then a 7th or 8th seed. if they run into the lakers, spurs. jazz, nuggets..hell i will even add golden state to that list they will exit the playoffs. Hey mavs fans wade and shaq took your one ring away...lol
  14. James P
    24. Posted by James P Sat Oct 10 7:09pm EDT

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    Sure this years Mavs are older...but they have finally made a transition away from the disappointments of losing to the Heat in the finals and the Warriors in Round 1.

    That team had on cog in Stackhouse...no not the best player of that team, but he was a part of its heart.

    This years version of the Mavs have Marion...sure older and perhaps not what he was in his Suns days, but compared to what the Mavs had in Stackhouse, Marion is a marked improvement.

    Now add a healthy Howard for the 2nd half and the post-season run, and you find two players who can finish a Kidd run.

    I actually tend to agree with Cuban as he sees this team being more talented than the Finals team...however the West this year is also more competitive.

    That being said, don't underestimate that this is a new team and that they are writing their own name!!!

    Mavs fan, it's time to sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride...this Mavs team is set to shock the NBA world!!!
  15. urallwitnesses23
    23. Posted by urallwitnesses23 Sat Oct 10 6:08pm EDT

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    Like it matters. Bunch of choke artists. Marion and Gooden are also choke artists.
  16. doakloc
    22. Posted by doakloc Sat Oct 10 4:37pm EDT

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    dirk is absolutely the reason the mavericks even became relevant, and deserves to be considered one of the best of this generation. and for those who think dirk is not aggressive and cant take hits. STUPID! seriously dirk takes it in there just as much as anyone and dont get half the calls as kobe @#$% bryant as well as others. so keep talkin @#$% about dirk and the mavs, because when the playoffs role around we will be there, like always. MFFL. Lets get it! Dirk!!!!
  17. Hoops M
    21. Posted by Hoops M Sat Oct 10 3:16pm EDT

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    Dirk was a well-deserving MVP in 2007. If you check out his stats on Basketball-Reference.com, he led the league in Win Shares for three straight years, from 2005 to 2007, and should have won the MVP award in 2006 as well.

    The worst MVPs in the past 3 decades were probably Iverson (2001), Nash (2005, the next one he won was more appropriate), and Dr. J in 1981.
  18. RALPH H H
    20. Posted by RALPH H H Sat Oct 10 12:29pm EDT

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    Why don't you idiots get of Josh. He is a very capable player. So suck it up.
  19. louis
    19. Posted by louis Sat Oct 10 11:48am EDT

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    we need josh howard and marion to run the wings with kid on fastbreaks so lets get him healthy and he'll be fine. dirk is going to be dirk and get his points whenever he wants but if we don't get a physical inside player we wont go far in the playoffs or even make it considering how deep the west is.
  20. nextdukestar7
    17. Posted by nextdukestar7 Sat Oct 10 5:18am EDT

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    Just get that playa some weed, and he'll be straight. He'll walk that @#$% off in no time. Seriously, when I sprained my ankle 2 years ago, after about a week of resting it, I smoked out wit a friend of mine and then walked around campus without noticing a thing!
  21. Pops
    16. Posted by Pops Sat Oct 10 3:12am EDT

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    germz in 76-77 walton was as great a player as the world has ever seen--learn your basketball
  22. GERMZ
    15. Posted by GERMZ Sat Oct 10 2:04am EDT

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    worst mvps where
    2000-01 Allen Iverson
    1998-99 Karl Malone
    1996-97 Karl Malone
    1977-78 Bill Walton
  23. Livin' the Vegas Life
    14. Posted by Livin' the Vegas Life Sat Oct 10 12:36am EDT

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    Josh Howard just needs to go. Trade him for a true center. Shawn Marion is a better shooting forward that Josh will ever be.

    Hugh H, I couldn't disagree with you more with your assesment of Dirk. Dirk has carried the Mavs for years and proved his dependability and tuffness. I'm guessiing your are an LA Faker fan and actually believe Kobe Byrant is the greatest player ever. Boy are you wrong!
  24. <i>tellez0226</i>
    13. Posted by tellez0226 Sat Oct 10 12:24am EDT

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    Mavs are no where close to the Finals team. They are not as young not as athletic and the competition is by far better than it was in 06. We will be in the playoffs but don't kid yourself and think we can make a deep run. We are a second tear team at best as much as it hurts to say it. Go Dirk and Go Mavs! Mavs fan for life!
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