'Very disappointed' with Howard suspension

The Mavs were left scratching their heads at the NBA’s decision to suspend All-Star forward Josh Howard for the first two games of the season and not punish Sacramento center Brad Miller for their parts in an altercation Tuesday.

The incident began when Miller shoved Devin Harris without provocation in the second quarter of the Mavericks’ 101-99 preseason win, leading to Howard’s retaliation.

NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson announced the suspension and, according to the league’s release, Howard escalated the situation: “by running across the court, striking Miller in the back of the head with his forearm, pushing Miller in the back, and engaging with other Kings’ players.”

Howard said he would react the exact same way again, even knowing the repercussions. And he wasn’t surprised by the league’s ruling, alluding to past dealings with the franchise.

“I had to do what I had to do to protect my teammate,” Howard said before tonight’s tip-off against Detroit at American Airlines Center. “I’ve been with this organization long enough to know what happens. It’s crazy [Miller] didn’t get any suspension or any fine.”

Avery Johnson was similarly dumfounded.

“Very disappointed from the standpoint I wouldn’t have thought it would have been more than one game,” he said. “There’s no appeal process. You can’t go to the judge or the jury. What it is, is what it is.

“Obviously, we understand the NBA’s position in not wanting things to escalate, but I thought it would have been a maximum of one game. To lose one of my star players is not good and, on top of it, for Miller not to get suspended for a game makes no sense.”

Johnson has asked the league for clarification on the decision and, at this point, the team hasn’t received any. He also isn’t sure of the logic behind the suspension, comparing the situation to how a replay official in football interprets a challenged play.

“Before I deal with Josh, I’m going to figure out what started it all,” Johnson said. “That’s my point. What led Josh to do what he did? What led Devin to push back? How did it all start? The guy or persons who are responsible for viewing this, they don’t see it the way we see it.”

Mark Cuban also had plenty to add.

“I didn’t think it was fair because it seems every time we play them, Brad puts Devin on his butt,” Cuban said. “Avery asked Josh to make more of a leadership role and he certainly has. Nobody is going to call the Mavs soft again.”

Jerry Stackhouse, suspended during the 2006 NBA Finals for his takedown of Heat center Shaquille O’Neal, pointed out an interesting precedent.

“I guess you don’t have to swing at a guy,” Stackhouse said. “That’s good to know. You just have to push him down and it’s nothing.”

Harris said recently that Miller has flattened him several times, including a backcourt screen that knocked Harris out of a game his rookie season. Howard will miss the opener at Cleveland (Oct. 31) and the Atlanta game (Nov. 2).

Howard’s first game back? Nov. 3 against ... Miller and the Kings.