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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best centers in team history

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. Dwight Howard (2012-13, 2019-present)

Looking at the numbers and accolades on paper, there’s no way anyone would believe Dwight Howard’s second stint with the Lakers is going much better than his first.

But in his case, it’s all about expectations.

When Howard was traded to by the Orlando Magic to L.A. in 2012, he was in the prime of his Hall of Fame career. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was coming off back surgery, but he was still widely considered the best center in the league.

Howard and fellow new addition Steve Nash were expected to be integral in getting the Lakers back into the championship picture and helping LA hero Kobe Bryant win his sixth NBA title. The Lakers had a super-team that was a popular pick to win the Western Conference and compete with the reigning champion Miami Heat.

On paper, Howard was great for the Lakers. He averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He led the league in rebounding, finished second in field-goal percentage (57.8 percent) and ranked fifth in blocks. He was named All-NBA Third Team and voted to the All-Star Game. When Kobe went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon late in the season, Howard stepped up and led the injury-plagued Lakers to clinch a playoff spot.

That postseason run ended abruptly, however, in a sweep to the San Antonio Spurs. Howard left LA in free agency soon after, and immediately became almost universally hated among Laker Nation.

Six years later, Howard returned to the Lakers under a different set of circumstances. The veteran took a scenic tour of the NBA in his time away before finding himself back in purple and gold.

This time, expectations are much lower for Howard. He is 33 years old and in his 16th pro season. He hasn’t been an All-Star in five years. He’s now coming off the bench behind JaVale McGee and his job is simply to rebound, defend and provide quality minutes for a team that doesn’t need another superstar.

Through Thursday’s schedule, Howard is averaging 7.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in just 19.9 minutes per game. He’s connected on 75.0 percent of his field goals by feasting on putbacks and open dunks thanks to playmakers like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo.

The most surprising thing is that Lakers fans appear to love Howard now. He’s giving the team what is asked of him, and then some. Even though his production is at a career-low in many areas, at the same time he’s making up for what went wrong in his first run with the Lakers.

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