Overreactions from the Los Angeles Lakers’ first week

3. The Dwight Howard L.A. wanted is back

Not every overreaction has a negative connotation. Just as fans and media are quick to tear down athletes and teams who struggle, they are equally quick to hype up those that play a few good games.

Dwight Howard has looked increasingly better in the early stages of this season.

He posted a double-double in Sunday’s win over the Hornets (16 points, 10 rebounds) to go with four blocks. He’s bringing the Staples Center crowd to his feet when he swats shots out of bounds or throws down power dunks.

From the look and sound of things, Los Angeles Lakers fans have already forgiven Howard for the failed 2012-13 season. That was when he came to L.A. expected to help deliver Kobe Bryant‘s sixth championship, but left in the midst of acrimony and underachievement.

All seems well now, but anyone who has followed Howard’s career knows not to trust one week of goodwill and smiles. And I say that as a Howard fan myself.

Since Howard first left the Lakers in 2013, he’s bounced around to six teams — the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Grizzlies — before making it back into purple and gold.

Consistently during that time, Howard was followed by rumors and reports of him not being happy with how much he’s playing, how much he’s getting the ball, or how he’s being used. Stories have surfaced of teammates celebrating when he’d get traded, and coaches frustrated with his attitude.

Will Howard continue to be OK with coming off the bench behind McGee? Will he be OK with getting fewer than five shot attempts per game?

It’s all good when the team is winning, but losing streaks — and there will be losing streaks — tend to bring out one’s true character.