First former Laker and NBA analyst Magic Johnson publically expressed his disappointment for Howard via Twitter, after the center was ejected from the Lakers season finale game. “The most disappointing season ever” said the ‘show-time’ leader when sending the message to fans. His former teammate Kobe Bryant skipped the whole process of tweeting and just un-followed Howard altogether on Twitter; while Shaquille O’Neal flat out admitted that he didn’t think Howard had what it take to handle the “pressure of L.A’s bright lights.” Hell, even Ice Cube stopped one of his shows to personally let Dwight know he thought he was a ‘bitch.’ The point is Howard is not well liked in Tinsel town. To the folks in Los Angeles, Howard leaving the lore of Laker glory is the equivalent of leaving a smart, supermodel standing at the alter; it just doesn’t make sense and it just doesn’t happen that way.
Of course this L.A arrogance didn’t arrive overnight; it has been earned through championship trophies, a celebrity fan base and iconic play from Hall of Fame players. The reputation the Laker organization has as champions is well deserved, and their legacy should give reason for the team and its fans to be prideful. On the other hand, pride is the last thing to go before your downfall; and unfortunately pride and arrogance may have been the reason stay with the Lakers. Consider the stubborn hiring of Coach Mike D’Antoni after Howard request of playing for Phil Jackson. Then there was the shameful attempt to keep Howard through free agency, there were no Hall of Famers to greet Howard, no celebrities, or cheerleaders. The only reward for signing with the Lakers was signing with the Lakers, not even the promise of being the face of the team was given.
Straight disrespectful if you ask me; yes Howard can be a brat, but he is still less than 30 years old, and has won three consecutive, Defensive Player of the Year awards. Not to mention he has taken a team to the NBA Finals before. This fiasco that went on last year with the Lakers and that started while he played with the Orlando Magic should be fuel for Howard’s fire. The fresh start with the Houston Rockets along with the criticism from his detractors should make the normally passive Howard a beast. If the more than capable Omer Asik backs off his trade demands, and support Howard in the post, it will make Howard a more formidable threat and a MVP candidate. If James Harden continues to light up the perimeter and Jeremy Lin doesn’t commit too many turnovers, the Houston Rocket should be a top five team and a favorite coming out the west to compete for a championship. And if all this comes to pass this season for Howard and the Houston Rockets, then he should send the Lakers and it’s fraternity of former players a thank you card.