NBA: Center Discusses Lakers' Past Issues Ahead Of 2nd Chance

Dwight Howard was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers via trade from Orlando Magic for the 2012-13 season and brought in to help win them the title but left after just one campaign. He left the Lakers in unceremonious circumstances after rejecting a max contract offer in free agency, which ensured he was despised by a majority of the Lakers fan base.

The veteran center struggled with fitness issues in his first stint with the Lakers which prevented him from showing his best form, while he also had differences with Kobe Bryant, the then team’s de-facto leader. Howard is hoping to set the record straight and build his broken relationship with the fans after re-signing for them this summer.

The Lakers were expected to fight for the title in 2013 but they finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and lost 4-0 to San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, which is incidentally the last time they have made the post-season playoffs. Howard was asked about why the Lakers team failed and he pointed out two main problems.

“I just think there was two big problems, you know, injuries and ego. For a basketball team, those two things can make or break you. ... When you got major guys on the team that get injured, it kind of takes away from what you're trying to accomplish,” Howard told NBA insider Shams Charania during a recent interview.

“And then when everybody's not on the same page because of their egos and what they're being fed by people at home and their agents and stuff like that. And now you got everybody just out there doing their own thing,” he added. "But when you take your ego away and leave at home, throw it in the trash and just come to work and do your job, it makes everything a lot better."

Howard admitted that a second chance with the Lakers is like a “blessing” and will be hoping to help LeBron James and the rest of the team end the franchise’s playoff drought. He is not the 26-year-old at the peak of his game this time around, he is a 33-year-old veteran entering his 16th season in the NBA but will be expected to play an important role as a backup to starting center JaVale McGee.