Former NBA player Josh Howard, known for his standout career at Wake Forest and his significant role in the Mavericks' 2006 Finals run, shares his journey from Winston Salem to the league. He reflects on winning ACC Player of the Year and his emotional experience being drafted. From guarding Dwyane Wade in the Finals to his All-Star season with legends like KG and Kobe, Josh reveals the intensity and camaraderie of the NBA. He also discusses his transition to coaching, highlighting the mentorship that shaped his career and the joy of developing young talent.
Josh Howard's journey from overcoming childhood adversity, including a painful procedure due to being bow-legged, showcases his resilience and determination in professional basketball.
The importance of mentorship is highlighted as Josh credits seasoned veterans and coaches, notably Skip Prosser, for shaping his skills and personal growth.
Transitioning from player to coach allowed Josh to pass on valuable life lessons and emphasize discipline, teamwork, and hard work to young athletes.
Deep dives
Facing NBA Giants
Upon entering the NBA, one of the first significant challenges was facing elite players like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, who provided a rude awakening to the intensity of professional basketball. The experience of being dominated by Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway left a strong impression and served as a stark introduction to the challenges ahead. Additionally, trying to keep up with relentless players such as Rip Hamilton, who utilized pin-downs and screens to shake defenders, highlighted the necessity for endurance and adaptability in the league. The physical demands of matching up against towering big men also illustrated how basketball has changed over the years, with a noticeable difference in the level of physicality compared to the past.
Conquering Childhood Adversity
Overcoming severe childhood adversity marked a significant part of his journey, as the speaker shared the story of undergoing a painful procedure due to being bow-legged. His mother faced a tough decision about breaking his legs to ensure he could walk properly, a choice that ultimately paved the way for his successful basketball career. Despite the challenges and having to wear casts as an infant, he emphasized gratitude for his recovery and accomplishments in basketball. This journey from a difficult start to becoming a professional athlete reflects a resilient spirit and the belief that he was destined for greatness.
The Impact of Mentorship
The importance of mentorship in his early basketball development became clear through the influence of older players and coaches. Having the opportunity to play against and alongside seasoned veterans instilled a sense of discipline and the drive necessary to succeed, especially in his high school years. Coach Skip Prosser played a pivotal role in his college career at Wake Forest, fostering not just basketball skills but personal growth during a crucial time. The strong bonds built with mentors and teammates helped shape his journey, illustrating the significant impact of guidance and support in reaching professional success.
Adjusting to Life in the NBA
Transitioning into the NBA involved adapting to a new lifestyle filled with high expectations and challenges, including the shift from college basketball to the professional scene. With a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, he quickly realized the importance of finding his unique role on the team, focusing on defensive strategies and rebounding instead of solely on scoring. Learning from veterans like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki not only helped harness his skills but also taught him what it meant to be a professional on and off the court. The camaraderie among teammates played a central role in creating a supportive environment that fostered growth and development.
Evolving into a Coach
The transition from player to coach highlighted the continuous journey of growth, with personal experiences shaping his coaching philosophy. After retiring from playing, he initially found himself lost in figuring out his next steps until he discovered the opportunity to mentor young athletes. Coaching allowed him to pass on the lessons learned throughout his playing career, which included emphasizing discipline, hard work, and the importance of teamwork. Over the years, his coaching journey has proven rewarding, helping to guide kids not only in basketball but towards personal successes and life skills, underscoring the transformative power of sports.
This week on Knuckleheads we got Wake Forest legend — and a key piece to the Mavericks — Josh Howard. Josh looks back on growing up in Winston Salem, being a local kid who went to Wake Forest, and winning ACC POY his senior season. He also talks about his time on the Mavericks, being a huge part of Dallas’s 2006 Finals run, and what it was like to watch from afar as the Mavs won it all in 2011. And be sure to stay tuned for Josh’s thoughts on Q’s defense. J Howard was one of those dogs in the early 2000s. Tune in!
Going to Wake Forest as a North Carolina kid (10:45)
Winning ACC POY, All-ACC, and Wake’s tournament run his senior year (16:45)
Getting drafted to the Mavericks, rookie year in Dallas (26:29)
Guarding D Wade in the 2006 Finals (46:20)
Josh’s All-Star season, being in the same locker room as KG, Duncan, and Kobe (49:56)
Becoming a college coach in the Dallas area (1:07:01)
About Our Hosts:
NBA veterans Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles are lifelong friends and bona fide truth-tellers. Listen as they invite special guests, high-profile athletes, musicians and entertainers to get brutally honest about everything from current events to untold stories from the golden era of sports and culture. Named for the on-court celebration they made wildly popular, this unfiltered, hilarious and surprising podcast is like playing NBA 2K with no fouls.