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Los Angeles Lakers: X-factors for success in NBA’s Orlando restart

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 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 John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

2. Dwight Howard

A lot of people laughed when the Lakers signed Dwight Howard last summer.

The 34-year-old future Hall of Fame center still looks like The Incredible Hulk in a basketball uniform, but Howard was clearly past his prime by the time he made it to L.A. for his second stint with the team.

The first time around, in 2012-13, was kind of a disaster. Howard joined the Lakers back then via trade from the Orlando Magic, and he was supposed to spark memories of Shaquille O’Neal while helping Kobe Bryant win another championship or two in the latter stage of Kobe’s career.

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Instead, the one season Howard and Kobe spent together saw the Lakers barely make the playoffs, Kobe suffer an Achilles’ injury that effectively ended his run as an elite player, and Howard treat L.A. like a pit stop on his way to Houston.

After a solid run with the Rockets, Howard went from superstar to journeyman seemingly overnight.

Between 2016-19, he landed on five different teams — Atlanta, Charlotte, Brooklyn, Washington and Memphis — and two of them waived him before he ever played a game for them. The Dwight Howard that signed with the Lakers prior to this season was supposed to e washed-up and a non-factor.

There were also valid concerns that Howard’s personality, which appeared to alienate him from teammates and franchises in the past, would create problems for the Lakers. Not to mention Lakers fans already kind of hated Howard from what happened before.

As it turns out, Howard has been great. And he’s not causing any trouble. He’s not an All-Star — he’s not even a starter — but Howard has flourished in his role for the purple and gold. He’s averaging 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while making 73.2 percent of his field goals. He’s even hit a few 3-pointers.

Given limited responsibilities to focus on defense and rebounding, Howard helps give the Lakers the league’s most formidable frontcourt and an intimidating, rim-protecting trio alongside Davis and starting center JaVale McGee.

But Howard is also valuable offensively, whether it’s setting screens, being half of a deadly pick-and-roll, or finishing above the rim in transition. Few big men can run or jump with Howard, even in his 16th pro season.

There were early reports that Howard was going to sit out the rest of this season similar to Bradley, but he’s back with the Lakers and can do a lot to help them win it all and earn the first championship of his career.

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