Usually when we hear about players using a sticky substance on their hands for better grip, it’s on the football field. On Saturday, it occurred on a basketball court.
Early in the game between the Rockets and Hawks, Dwight Howard was found to have sprayed Stickum on his hands prior to checking in the game. It was noticed when Howard handled the ball after a made free throw. To make matters worse, as Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, there was apparently a concerted effort by the Rockets to conceal the substance.
Official Monty McCutchen grabbed the ball and went to each bench to issue a warning, saying ‘Stickum is illegal in the NBA.’ After first going to the Hawks bench he made his way toward the Rockets bench. Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff slid in front of the can, still at the scorer’s table. McCutchen noted he knew what Bickerstaff was hiding.
Vivlamore also noted the can was covered with white tape.
Rockets' Dwight Howard busted for using stickum sprayhttps://t.co/FzU2JC1Wlq pic.twitter.com/HDDYbAocCH
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) March 20, 2016
This begs the question of how long Howard (and the Rockets) have been using the substance, as you would have to think this wasn’t an isolated incident. Thankfully Howard actually answered the question after the game.
Howard on his Stickum: "I don’t know why people are making a big deal out of it. I do it every game. It’s not a big deal. I ain’t tripping.”
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 20, 2016
Said he uses it every night openly and has five years. And I do see him spray it on his hands every game. https://t.co/ZeUZp2zGYc
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 20, 2016
Now, we will have to wait to see if an action is taken by the NBA. If you ask us, Howard should just take the Jerry Rice approach to denial.
