Josh Howard's '73 Caprice Classic is a maverick on Dallas' roads.

Story Maurice Bobb /// Photography Jack Thompson

Josh Howard’s midnight-black ‘73 Classic Caprice is flagrant. Like Mavericks owner Marc Cuban’s
courtside manners, the reserved Dallas forward clotheslines fellow pedal pushers when he rolls on 22s through the streets of D-town, a 350 small block purring under the hood. “I’m real low-key on the court, but once I get out there, I’m giving it my all,” says the third-year pro, who has upped his production to 15.1points per game this season. “That’s how I feel about my car. When I get it out on the highway, it can go with any car out there.” Howard has just started his old-school collection (which includes an ’89 Box Chevy), but judging from his rookie sled, his collection will be as timeless as ESPN Classic.

I know Mark Cuban broke you off a piece of his billion-dollar bankroll. Why’d you reach for the classic sled instead of something lavishly foreign?
This is my way of being different. I didn’t want to be like every other player in the league with their Benzs or BMWs. When you pull into the parking garage for practice, you see Escalades and all of the other typical rides. But with me being from North Carolina, which is the country, I chose to go this route and follow along with the trend there. Where I’m from, everybody has old-schools.

And shotguns. We’re not talking about passenger seats either. Why the ’73 Caprice, in particular?
Actually this is not my first old-school car. I had a blue ’83 Box Chevy with a white top that was my baby, but it was stolen as soon as I moved to Dallas.

Damn. Nothing says welcome like grand theft auto. So what happened?
Well, after it was stolen I got the Caprice, which I’m really happy with. This is my favorite car. I get so many compliments when I ride in it. People are always offering to buy it. But I can’t part with it.

Free Throw:

There are three players in the NBA with the last name Howard, and four players with the first name Josh. Shoot your answers to RIDESmag@harris-pub.com. The first five winners will receive a prize!

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