Dallas’ Josh Howard Fined And Foul Upgraded

http://www.nba.com//howard_suspended_061104.html

NEW YORK, Nov. 4 -- Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks has been fined $5,000 and has received an upgraded Flagrant Foul Penalty Two, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Howard’s foul, which was called a Flagrant Foul Penalty One, was committed against Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs with 3:36 remaining in the second period of the Mavericks 97-91 loss to the Spurs at American Airlines Center on November 2.

Sounds fair to me.

Howard chose to commit it and nothing can justify walking up and slamming both hands into someone.

He was lucky he didn't get ejected. I'm glad he wasn't though. The Spurs beat the Mavs at full strength in their house...no excuses for the whiners.

Now that we have Francisco, Howard can be the next player to moan to the papers about facing a player who actually plays defense. We're ready Josh. Sure, you're just "protecting yourself."