An ACL injury to DeMarcus Cousins created an opening for a big man on the Lakers‘ roster which has been — at least temporarily — filled by Dwight Howard.
The veteran center, who has bounced around the league, returned to the Lakers on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal after he was waived by the Grizzlies. At 33 years old, coming off an injury-riddled season that saw him appear in just nine games, it’s clear that Howard is no longer the player who once made eight straight All-Star teams.
However, after meeting with the Lakers and striking an emotional chord, the mercurial center could aid L.A.’s quest for a championship, something he wasn’t able to do in his first stint with the purple and gold.
“I’m definitely confident he can the play we’ve laid out for him. He’s coming to the Lakers at a very different time in his career,” new Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said on Access SportsNet (Twitter link). “[The] first time he was here, he was on top of the NBA mountain and was a bonafide superstar. Things have changed, he’s later in his career now, he’s a different person [and] has a different mindset.”
Over the last four seasons, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has suited up for four different teams (Rockets, Hawks, Hornets and Wizards). That does not include him being waived by both the Nets and Grizzlies following trades.
As Vogel mentioned, Howard is no longer the player who averaged 22.1 PPG and 14.1 RPG while anchoring the Magic’s defense. However, Vogel is confident that Howard can adjust to being a role player who helps the organization reach its ultimate goal.
“We feel really good about where he’s at as a person,” Vogel said. “He’s gonna serve a different role. It’s gonna be more of a role player type of role as opposed to being the lead and he understands that.”
3-time defensive player of the year, although he hasn’t looked like one for close to a decade now. Dwight will get a decent number of rebounds, give them the occasional basket, and miss a lot of free throws. But he won’t be the rim-protector that he was back in Orlando all those years ago, or even as good as what they had last season when Tyson Chandler was on the floor.
Why don’t you worry about the rockets! Go Lakers.
Going to be funny when the Rockets exit in the 1st round.
Gonna be funny when the Lakers are out too.
West is gonna be crazy compare time next year best not to predict the playoffs
And that will not happen. Lakers might not even make the playoffs. Both Davis and Lebron will exit with injuries.
It’s going to be even funnier when AD leaves LA next summer.
“Im going to leave 30 million and my Bel Air mansion behind” – No on ever
That’s all they know how to do. Lol
Its cute how obsessed you are with the Lakers last man spot who was only signed to replace an injured player. You really type a paragraph every article about Dwight. He is not that important to the team lol
His existence is based on coming on this site and bashing the Lakers…some people just don’t have much going on in their lives
His role is simple get rebounds and pass it to ad or lebron
Rockets with Westbrook, doubtful they make playoffs. Lakers traded entire team, they likely won’t make playoffs either. Scrub teams.
1 starter, 1 backup and a guy who couldn’t play more than 52 games in either of his first two seasons is a whole team? Every comment you make about the Lakers is feeble
Ok let’s be real. Not a Laker Fan and not a Rocket Fan.
I see it like this
1. Clippers
2. Portland
3. Houston
4. Denver
5. Utah
6. Lakers
7. Spurs
8. Kings
That means Rockets and Lakers in 1st round. Rockets win and then go on to lose to Clippers in next round.
But you all will say I’m crazy when I say it will be Bucks and Blazers in finals.
Sleeping on Denver.
1. Clip
2. Nug
3. Lakers
4. Blazers
5. Rockets
6. GSW
7. Jazz
8. Spurs
I want to make Den higher but my gut says they slip for some reason this year