Dwight Howard has spent multiple seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, but his most memorable was the first time he was traded from the Orlando Magic. With Howard, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace, and Pau Gasol on the roster, the Lakers had high expectations for the season. The biggest story was Bryant and Howard playing together, as many predicted they would be a dynamic pair. Unfortunately, things did not turn out that way, as Howard signed with the Houston Rockets the next season.
Howard recently opened up about his time with the Lakers at Gils Arena, including why he never wanted to be traded there in the first place.
“It’s impossible to play with Kobe. One, there is an expectation of winning, and two, everyone wanted me and Kobe to be the new Kobe and Shaq,” Howard explained. “I’m just coming off an injury, I’m still dealing with the mental anguish of being in Orlando, and now I have to go to Los Angeles and play with Kobe Bryant.” I watched him play, and they defeated us in the finals. One, I was already upset because I had to go to LA, and no one knew I didn’t want to go.”
"It was difficult playing with Kobe… Everybody expected me and Kobe to be the new Kobe and Shaq… I didn't want to go to the Lakers."
Dwight Howard on playing with Kobe Bryant 👀
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/VyIiMH7FBJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 29, 2024
Howard was interested in joining another squad to restart his career.
I wanted to upset the Lakers; they had just defeated us in the Finals, so I thought, ‘Why would I go to the team that just beat us?’ I wanted to go to Brooklyn and restart my entire career, but I was sent to Los Angeles,” Howard explained. “I made an emotional decision to leave because things did not work out.” I didn’t make a sensible, logical judgment; rather, I made an emotional decision at the time.
The Lakers failed to strategize with Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant.
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) and center Dwight Howard (12) during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center.
The Los Angeles Lakers expected huge things when Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant teamed up, but the opposite happened. The Lakers finished eighth in the Western Conference and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. That was also the year Bryant ruptured his Achilles, making the season even more heartbreaking.
Howard discussed the differences between playing with Bryant and LeBron James, whom he won a championship with during his second tenure with the Lakers.
“They have this presence, and when Kobe or LeBron enter the room, you can feel it. Kobe was more of a silent killer,” Howard explained on The OGs podcast. “He didn’t really say much. LeBron loves to have fun and make jokes, but when he steps on the court, you know he can pull that switch; it’s insane to see. The mental element of it, LeBron is doing all the plays; he’s like the coach, whereas Kobe is like, “Give me the ball and I’ll handle it,” and I believe those are the two disparities.
