Dwight Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star, recently reflected on the mistakes of his career, including his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013. Howard admitted he made an emotional decision, which he now regrets. He wishes he had weighed his options more carefully, but his emotions got the best of him at that moment.
Howard’s career is marked by what-ifs, and his decision to leave the Lakers is significant. After being traded to the Lakers in 2012, Dwight Howard had high hopes of returning to title contention alongside Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. However, the team failed to click and Howard’s time with the Lakers was marked by disappointment.
Looking back, man, I made an emotional decision. It was very emotional and I heard that that was not good. They said Kobe (Bryant) said he wanted me to stay, but I don’t know, I don’t know. He wishes he could go back and say, let me make this decision wisely, weigh everything. I don’t think I weighed my decision very well at the time. My emotions took over.
Dwight Howard on Above the Rim
Despite his successful career, including a championship win with the Lakers in 2020, Howard’s tenure is often remembered for missed opportunities. He was traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster deal in 2012, but his time with the team was short-lived. Howard’s failure to relate to his teammates and his eventual departure from the team are considered major question marks in his career.
Howard’s reflection on his career mistakes serves as a reminder that even the best players can make errors in judgment. His admission of regret for leaving the Lakers in 2013 shows that he has grown and learned from his experiences. Despite the “what ifs,” Howard’s legacy as an NBA legend remains unchanged.
Dwight Howard names Kobe and Shaq the greatest duo in NBA history
Dwight Howard also shared his opinion on the greatest duo in basketball history, naming Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal as his top picks. Howard believes his combination of talent and style popularized the great man-guard duo, making them a legendary tandem. He fondly remembers watching them play in the 2001 NBA Finals, which cemented their status as an all-time great duo.
I’m going with Kobe (Bryant) and Shaq. Magic and Kareem was a good duo but I like Kobe and Shaq because they brought a lot of flare to the big and guard duo. They made it popular, the one-two punch. When I first started seeing the duo for real it was the 76ers vs. the Lakers in the Finals... I was in 11th grade.Dwight Howard on Above the Rim
Kobe and Shaq’s dominance was evident during their three-peat from 2000 to 2002, with combined averages of 53.2 points, 18.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. They won 76% of their regular season games and went 15-1 in the playoffs in 2001.
While other duos, such as Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul JabbarThey are also considered among the greatest, the achievements and dominance of Kobe and Shaq endorse them as the best duo in NBA history.
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