After the Lakers’ 107-102 loss to the Clippers, Dwight Howard had this to say when comparing the two teams: “They just play together. They share the ball.” Ouch!
He obviously didn’t get the memo – thou shalt not criticize Kobe Bryant.
(Look, I know Kobe has played some brilliant ball this season but he’s also been a ball hog. In terms of usage, Kobe uses the most possessions in the league, accounting for 30.8 percent of the Lakers’ possessions. For a team that also has Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard on it, that’s absurd.)
We know that Dwight likes to blame others and we know Kobe shoots too much, so we shouldn’t be shocked by the comment. BUT, such animosity from a key player doesn’t bode well for their championship aspirations or Howard’s future in LA. I thought it was a done deal that he would re-sign with the Lakers this offseason (he will be an unrestricted free agent) but if he feels that he’s not getting the ball enough (he isn’t) and he doesn’t enjoy the ‘Kobe experience’, will he really sign up for playing with him for another 2-3 years? When teams like Dallas/Houston/Atlanta (who will all have max cap space in the summer) are offering him exactly what he craves?
It seems obscene that he would actually leave the Lakers but anything’s possible with Dwight, including this.
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vs San Antonio - Game 6 (L) 17/05/13
70%
Andrew Bogut (GSW)
Patrick Mills (SAS)
Aron Banyes (SAS)
3 Comments until now.
I’m not a Kobe fan or even a Laker fan for that matter. I agree they should probably be going into the post more, through Pau or Dwight, but over the past 5 games (and probably past 10, I haven’t checked) Kobe has been shooting at an even higher percentage than Dwight (and also Pau). He has been by far the Lakers best player and is giving the most consistent effort. I would normally be all over Kobe for his team’s sub-par record, but the truth is, its not his fault. If he was playing the same as last year (or the year before) the Lakers would probably be a 10-22 team right now.
Team chemistry is the issue, and there is too much finger pointing. In that environment, I agree, it’s entirely possible Dwight will leave.
I watch every Lakers game, and if you just watch Dwight the dude is absolutely hopeless. He can pad stats in the fast paced offense but really he looks like a liability out there. His post moves are awful and he has about as much finesse as Kwame Brown around the basket.
The Lakers focused their offense around Pau and Kobe and made the finals 3 times (winning 2). Then for some reason, Bynum became the 2nd option, and now Dwight. Why can’t the Lakers realise that Kobe and Pau play brilliantly together and with Nash running the show it will just be an incredible 3 man offense?
If they can trade Dwight for smaller pieces that fit the system – 3 point shooters and some faster, younger role players – I think the Lakers can make a 2-3 year run and then rebuild once Kobe, Nash and Gasol retire.
Dwight to the Heat for Bosh, Rashard Lewis and Mike Miller?
Comment!