Dwight Howard has quite a history with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he first joined in 2012. Although most remember him in his second (2019) and third (2021) coming, things were not always rosy for the top pick of the 2004 NBA Draft
The 6-foot-10 center landed with the Lakers in August 2012 after being acquired from the Orlando Magic in a deal that also involved the Philadelphia 76ers.
It is worth noting that D12 joined a team led by the late Kobe Bryant. As the second star of the Purple and Gold, Howard needed to lower his expectations, particularly when it came to touches on the ball.
It was clear that Howard was not happy in Hollywood, and most anticipated the All-Star center to opt out after one season with the Lakers. He did have his chance to show what he could truly do before the 2012-13 season ended. Sadly it was not the case.
The Lakers reached the playoffs that season but were in a hole. Kobe was sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury and a lot was riding on the shoulders of the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Needing a win, Dwight needed to be at his best – both performance-wise and behavior-wise for the Lakers. LA faced the San Antonio Spurs at the time and were fighting to stay alive. Up 3-0, it all hinged on how Howard would perform.
Instead of stepping up, Howard ended up getting tossed in the third quarter for incurring his second technical foul for arguing a call with game officials. His first technical was handed after throwing an elbow.
When the smoke cleared, the Lakers lost 103-82. Howard drew heavy criticism, particularly from Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. As for Howard, he could only brand it in the sanest way possible.
“A nightmare,” Howard said via UPI. “A bad dream. I couldn’t wake up out of it. It seemed like nothing could go right from the start.”
Then-Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni understood Howard’s frustrations. He knew the physicality that Dwight had to endure. He was hardly surprised at seeing the Georgia native lose his cool.
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