Josh Howard viewing championship run of former team with interest

With his former team one victory away from the championship that he was unable to capture five years ago, against the same team that kept him from winning the ultimate prize, Josh Howard said he could only have a cursory interest in the outcome in the NBA Finals.

He is rooting from afar for former Dallas Mavericks teammates Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and Erick Dampier, now of the Miami Heat, more than a particular team. The wounds of his unceremonious departure haven’t fully healed, but Howard is getting there.

He can actually watch the games, which is progress. Howard admits he would’ve had a difficult time handling the situation a year ago, just a few months after the Mavericks had shipped him to the Washington Wizards.

“It might’ve hurt my feelings, cause I was still connected to the team,” Howard said this week. “This year, it’s like, it’s a game. There’s emotion, because I feel I could still be here, contributing with those guys. But now that I’m not here, I look at it as a fan.”

Though he has never had much of a chance to play for the Wizards since getting traded from Dallas, Howard would still like to return.

“I still see Washington as the number one option, or the option,” Howard said. “If that’s not the place that’s for me, I’ll have to weigh my options and go after what’s best for me.”

Could he see himself ever playing for the Mavericks again?

“Never say never. Great place to play ball. Mark Cuban has done a great job to get the city behind the Mavericks. I know I’d just come back in like I left off, if there was a chance,”Howard said. “Now, I’m cheering for Dirk and JT, ’cause they was there with me when we made it and of course, J-Kidd, because he was instrumental to my career, just staying positive. I know he’s an older vet and he wants to get a ring, so it would be great for him to get one. They have the pieces, hopefully they can pull it out.”