:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49136005/usa-today-9198308.0.jpg)
Tomorrow the Houston Rockets are playing on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and then will host the Utah Jazz in a very important back-to-back set for the two lower seeded teams. You see, that game on Wednesday will determine the first tie-breaker between the Jazz and Rockets. And right now 1.0 games separate the two teams in the Western Conference standings. As an intrepid Jazzfan I'm always on the lookout for ways to punch up my team, and poop on our rivals. Houston fits the bill, especially in a season where they are fighting for the playoffs against one another. A great example is what Dwight Howard did -- and finally got caught for -- in their road game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. If you are just getting caught up, well, Dwight Howard was caught sticky-handed using the banned substance colloquially known as "stickum".
Dwight got caught using Stickum. Official Monty McCutchen warned the Rockets: "Stickum is illegal in the NBA." Damn, is he gonna go to jail?
— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) March 20, 2016
Dwight Howard is well on his way to an endorsement deal with Stickum spray. https://t.co/Gpo1ug8j5L pic.twitter.com/RTT3e2od8v
— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) March 20, 2016
catching up on the dwight howard thing. paul millsap's face is the best face: pic.twitter.com/6UWXGJBtkA
— Layton Shumway (@theshums) March 21, 2016
The NBA just announced that they don't care.
The NBA won't suspend or fine Dwight Howard, sent memo to team that drying supplement is "strictly prohibited," sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 21, 2016
Sources: Houston's Dwight Howard won't be punished by NBA for use of spray. @ShamsCharania report on @TheVertical. https://t.co/DXMq0XPnp9
— The Vertical (@TheVertical) March 21, 2016
From Charania's article:
The NBA will not fine or suspend Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard for use of an adhesive substance Saturday night but sent a memo to all 30 teams that its usage is "strictly prohibited," league sources told The Vertical.
Howard cooperated with NBA security officials over the past day, and the league advised teams Monday that all equipment used for games must be appropriate for a basketball and any substance that could gain an advantage is not prohibited.
Howard used a spray on his hands before re-entering Saturday's 109-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. When Howard touched the basketball and it was bounced to Hawks All-Star Paul Millsap at the free-throw line, Millsap noticed the stickiness and the referees replaced the ball.
A Houston Rockets beat writer, Jonathan Feigen, goes all in:
Howard on the Stickum to-do. "It's upsetting. It’s getting overblown, like I’m doing something crazy. I’ve never been a cheater."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Howard: "Some players use powder. Some players use other stuff that’s put up on the table. Some guys use the stuff we put our feet on."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Rockets, NBA teams received a memo today barring "the use of adhesive substances," source said. Dwight Howard not penalized.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Resin, chaulk, liquid chaulk still permitted. Teams will receive more clarification before the playoffs.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
NBA memo states "the use of adherent substance, such as such as Quick Drying Tape Adherent, during games is strictly prohibited."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Per NBA memo "substances that merely dry a player's hands" permitted. Howard said used spray to dry hands. Now prohibited since also sticky.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
By the way, Power Grip, a similar product considered liquid chalk, is permitted. Has licensing agreement with NBA. Funny how that works.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Basically, no one cared which product Howard, others used. Howard got too much on ball while still wet, sticky. Now, can use something else.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
And his Magnum Opus on the topic can be found here:
Rockets' Dwight Howard avoids punishment, but can't use sticky spray (includes NBA memo.) https://t.co/eXzAYSyyVK via @houstonchron
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 21, 2016
Personally, Dwight Howard should be fired out of a cannon into the sun for his deceitful, malicious, and calculated cheating. Truly, he is the Bill Belichick of the NBA. And his super villainy knows no bounds. Or failing that, be fined and suspended for the #UTAatHOU game.
Of course, none of that is going to happen. But I did need an excuse to say that the Rockettes suck. And they flop. And travel. And somehow get away with hitting players in the heads on defense and not having that called as a flagrant foul. And I hope that the Jazz beat them on Wednesday.