Is Dwight Howard about to become the NBA's version of Adrian Peterson?

TMZ Sports released a bombshell report Monday afternoon that revealed the Rockets center was investigated by police for beating his six-year-old son Braylon with the buckle-end of a belt. Howard admitted to that action but denied he knew he was doing anything wrong, contending that he was raised under such disciplinary tactics as well.

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Howard was not charged with a crime, but the doctor who examined the boy wrote in his report that Braylon's injuries were "consistent with a medical diagnosis of physical abuse." The report described the injuries as "consistent with Braylon being struck with the buckle end of the belt ... with excessive force, resulting in soft tissue injuries such as bruising and abrasions."

TMZ had obtained the report from Florida's Dept. of Children and Families (DCF), which conducted the boy's examination.

This news comes in the wake of the child abuse allegations that hounded Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and contributed to so much of the NFL's negative publicity season. Now it looks like the NBA is going to get a dose of it as well.

Responding to the Orlando Sentinel, Howard's lawyer David Oscar Markus dismissed the incident as "frivolous allegations," and claimed that news of Howard's actions were a direct response to Howard having recently filed for custody of Braylon.

"It is troubling to see a mother use her son as a pawn against his father, which is what is happening in this case," said Markus. "Dwight Howard will continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is necessary to protect their welfare and best interests."