Rockets center Dwight Howard was caught using stickum during Saturday’s 109-97 loss to the Hawks.
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According to the Chronicle, he appeared upset when, after warning the Hawks bench, as he headed to the Rockets bench, Houston coach J.B. Bickerstaff slid between McCutchen and the can sitting on the scorer’s table.
Howard came to the scorer’s table during a break as the Hawks’ Paul Millsap was headed to the free-throw line.
The league is reviewing what happened, but the Rockets apparently didn’t give up the can later when asked by officials. “I ain’t tripping.” You’d expect someone using such a substance for grip purposes would cut down on the amount of turnovers they average per outing, however, Howard continued around his career numbers. Referee Monty McCutchen claims he’s aware of what Bickerstaff was trying to do.
While Howard’s use of stickum is surprising, the substance has turned up in other sports before.
A member of the Rockets staff ultimately removed the can from the scorer’s table.
Millsap described what the ball felt like, and why he tossed it to the refs, saying “I’ve never felt the ball like that ever”. I couldn’t get it off my hands. “I do it every game”. Howard grabbed 17 rebounds but missed five of seven shots on his way to eight points.
Howard, as he often does, laughed about the incident and brushed off the stickiness of the situation.
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After the game, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed that Millsap rejected the game ball immediately after Howard sprayed his hands and checked in. He hasn’t been above 54.7 percent since and is hovering at 50 percent this season.
