Dwight Howard News: Is Lakers Coach Byron Scott Right?
By Marcus Bass
Am I the only person that doesn’t want to see a Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets rivalry started over center Dwight Howard? Since Howard escaped from Los Angeles and packed his bags for Houston, it seems the two are currently synonymous in infamy.
In the latest installment of how much Howard hated playing alongside Kobe Bryant for the Lakers and now how much Los Angeles hates him back, newly appointed Lakers head coach was recently questioned about Howard’s drive.
A question stemming from a recent ESPN The Magazine article which quoted several “anonymous” agents and NBA personnel, including Lakers insiders suggested that Bryant was the reason Howard left $30 million on the table in Los Angeles. Scott responded to the suggestion with:
"“My outside perspective is Kobe is a real serious guy and wants to win championships, I don’t know if Dwight is that serious about it. I know No. 24 is. I think that probably was the clash.”"
Scott’s comments came on the eve of the Lakers opening night showdown against the Rockets, and he couldn’t be more correct.
While Howard is still a force in the paint, since being accused of being one of the leagues biggest underachievers (if not the most guilty), he’s taken a decline in interest and respect. Not to mention Howard has had a decline in points and rebounds since his 2010-11 season.
His motivations for leaving the Lakers and heading to Houston were boyish and while he was once considered the best NBA center, he’s rarely mentioned in that conversation anymore.
When Scott was asked as to why the duo of Bryant and Howard didn’t meshed and more specifically if it was due to their conflicting personalities, Scott said the following:
"“Probably so. I don’t think there’s one specific way that you can overcome it. I think there’s probably a number of ways, but obviously both individuals have to be willing.”"
Regardless as to whether Scott is right about Howard, the Rockets are going to be a better team than the Lakers this season and that’s what it really boils down to. They’re not tremendously better, but they’ll certainly compile a better record, and at the end of the day — only wins matter.