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Josh Howard wants you and everyone else to know: Smoking weed in the off-season does not affect his job performance.

How it affects his teammates when he goes on the radio to make his point on game day, his team dangerously down 0-2 to the Hornets?

How it affects the NBA's image when an All-Star claims "most of the players in the league use marijuana ..."?

How it affects his future with the Mavericks?

Howard didn't consider any of the possibilities when indulging this reefer madness, which tells you all you need to know about his leadership qualities.

But after the Mavs finally climbed into the series Friday with a 97-87 victory, consider a side effect of this joint discussion:

Howard unwittingly cast himself in the spotlight, an uncomfortable position, and this can only be good for the Mavs from here on out.

Howard didn't exactly shake his shooting funk Friday, hitting just 5 of 16 shots for 18 points. But, after coasting through two games in New Orleans and failing to grasp the effect of his malaise on his teammates, he helped symbolize the Mavs' aggressive play Friday on both offense and defense.

Hey, Josh: Why the sudden jump in energy?

"I've been doing it all season," he said, swatting away the question. "That's what I'm gonna continue to do, whether my shot's falling or not."

Funny, isn't it, how Howard could be so candid when it comes to his predilection for pot and so obtuse about his play?

The losses in New Orleans certainly weren't his fault, but he should shoulder his share of the burden. He wants to be considered the Mavs' second-best player, but with such recognition comes responsibilities he's apparently unready or unwilling to bear.

A leader doesn't set up a radio interview Friday to "clarify" comments in The Dallas Morning News about his off-season use of marijuana.

Especially when the clarification is that most NBA players are tokers.

Set aside the possibility that he might be right. Jose Canseco might have been accurate when he estimated 80 percent of major leaguers used steroids, but such a wild swipe didn't help his credibility.

Besides illustrating "poor timing and poor judgment," in the words of his coach, Avery Johnson, Howard also set himself up for the NBA police.

Question: Do you think David Stern will just shrug it off when one of the league's best players openly discusses his pot proclivities?

Talking about it won't get him suspended. But it could earn him entry into the league's marijuana program. He'd be subject to more than the standard four random checks in season. And he'd have random tests in the off-season, too, which apparently would put a crimp in his lifestyle.

The Mavs clearly weren't happy about the fuss. Mark Cuban talked to Howard for 10 minutes before the game, though it probably wasn't a lecture on the evils of cannabis.

"Whatever I say will be hypocritical," the owner said, smiling, "so I won't say anything."

Just for the record: Before accusing me of hypocrisy, you should know I've never inhaled a joint or jet-fueled brownie. I got this way cold sober.

If it's any consolation, Howard apologized "to the organization and all my fans," for his comments.

His head low, tone soft, he said, "I never meant to hurt anyone's feelings."

But he may have hurt his future with this club. If the Mavs don't pull out this series, and Cuban blows up the club, guess who would be the first to go?

Reason enough for Howard to kick it into gear now. At least he won't look high.