Before moving to the Taiwan League, former NBA star Dwight Howard had two separate stints with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first stint during the 2012-13 season, Howard played alongside NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
However, this period was challenging for Howard, who dealt with back issues and eventually left to join the Houston Rockets for the 2013-14 season.
Recently, Howard appeared on the “Above The Rim” podcast and opened up about the difficulties he faced while playing with Bryant during his first stint with the Lakers. He spoke candidly about the high expectations placed upon him and the mental challenges he experienced.
“I’m just coming off an injury; I’m still dealing with all the mental shit from Orlando, and now I got to go to L.A., and I’m playing with Kobe Bryant. I just played from a back surgery like it’s the worst surgery you could have in your life. Damn, there is a surgery in your back cause one little move you can get paralyzed,” he said.
“I’m having this surgery, thinking that you know what I just had. I come from Orlando, hoop with Kobe, and then we’re going to be right back at it. But it didn’t happen like that, and I got all the blame,” he added.
Dwight Howard Picks ‘Redeem Team’ Over ‘Avengers’ Team USA
Team USA recently won its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics, with a roster filled with NBA stars. The victory was so impressive that LeBron James dubbed the team the “Avengers.”
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However, not everyone is as impressed with the so-called “Avengers” team. Former Lakers star Dwight Howard, a known admirer of Kobe Bryant, believes the 2008 “Redeem Team” is still the superior squad.
“That’s a good one; I’m going with our team. We got a prime Kobe, young LeBron, the bald head D-Wade. I got ’08. We were young, talking about Bron at 23, I’m 22, Melo at 24, Chris Bosh at 24! Oh my. This prime, this is their year; Wade was 26 and Boozer was going crazy,” Howard said in the “Gil’s Arena Live” podcast.
Howard was also a member of the “Redeem Team.” Before teaming up with Bryant on the Lakers, the former NBA star earned his first and only Olympic gold medal alongside Bryant in 2008.
Also Read: VIDEO: Dwight Howard Breaks Silence On NBA Retirement And Playing In Taiwan League.
