Dwight Howard infamously played only one season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite having a lineup filled with former All-Stars, the Lakers failed to gel and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
During D-12’s year in LA, many media members and fans sensed a mutual dislike between Howard and Kobe Bryant, and it was viewed as a significant reason why Howard ended up signing with the Houston Rockets during the 2013 offseason.
The Los Angeles Times has been rounding up reactions to Kobe’s retirement from players around the league, and they spoke with Howard about his ex-teammate after the Rockets beat the Lakers on Saturday.
According to Howard, despite the fact that he and Kobe have gotten into it on the court since he signed with Houston, there is no deep-seated hatred between them, and it was all blown out of proportion:
“I don’t know why — everybody just made it seem like we just hated each other. There’s no need for us to hate each other. People always going to pass judgment on a situation. But that situation for me is over and done with.”
Howard added that he doesn’t think Kobe was upset with him for leaving Los Angeles to go to Houston, despite the ensuing years where the Lakers have failed to make the playoffs (they aren’t going to this year, either).
“And I don’t think he’s that upset about me leaving, because at the end of the day we’re all men and we make decisions based on our life. I don’t have an issue with him. I pray for the guy every day and I’m happy to see him go out on a high note.
Something tells me if you asked Kobe the same questions, his answers may be just a little bit different.
(Via The Los Angeles Times)
