The people have spoken! Dwight Howard beats Kobe Bryant in the #NBARank; the players ranked number three and six respectively. Even though Howard will be sidelined for some of the 2012-13 pre-season due to injury, he was still named a top three NBA player. Derrick Rose took the fifth spot and Chris Paul of the Clippers was fourth. Durant and James are the only two men left, so we will have to wait and see who takes the top spot. As far as other Lakers players, Gasol came in at 15 and Nash was 19.
Kobe is aging, but when I think of player talent and reliability, Bryant rates above Howard. Don’t get me wrong; in the past, Howard had definitely given it his all during games like Bryant. But he has problems on offense, an area in which Kobe excels. Howard’s defensive prowess is top-notch, but Kobe is also impressive. Just something to think about.
Howard’s injury has yet to be a factor, and so far, he looks great in workouts and training. Howard has been seen practicing his post moves with Lakers assistant coach Darvin Ham and appears strong and healthy. It is definitely a good sign to see Howard on the floor practicing with contact. Dwight Howard’s return to the basketball floor is a work in progress to get back to 100 percent from back surgery. Lakers Nation has a video posted if you would like to check out the big man in action.
Hopefully as the stress of the season approaches his back will not become a problem. Unlike Kobe’s constant finger and joint issues, Dwight won’t be able to play through a messed up back. It may not be an issue, though; anyone catch him teach Ellen how to Dougie? Adorable and hilarious! Dwight looks like a giant next to Ellen.
Elizabeth Benson of Lakers Nation has released her third edition of probable L.A. competition this year. Today’s post is about the Denver Nuggets and where they can pose a threat this season. She chooses Denver as her sleeper team in the West. Don’t forget to also check out her first two pieces to see the breakdowns of OKC, followed by the Spurs.
Lakers Nation News
Jordan Hill Pleads No Contest to Assault Charge, Receives Probation
Dwight Howard Ranked No. 3 In ESPN #NBARank
Time Warner Cable to Launch Shows Following Lakers and Laker Girls
Video: Dwight Howard Talks Kobe Bryant With Ellen DeGeneres
Lakers Top 2012 Competition Part III: Denver Nuggets
Dwight Howard Participates in Contact Drills at Lakers Practice Facility
Dorell Wright Believes Bynum is Better than Dwight Howard
Kobe Bryant to Appear on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ After Dwight
Chris Paul Believes Clippers’ Chemistry Gives Them Edge Over Lakers
Video: Dwight Howard Teaches Ellen DeGeneres How to Dougie
Lakers News
Conflict Resolution [Forum Blue and Gold]
Kobe Bryant Ranked 6th Best NBA Player by ESPN [LA Times]
Lakers Coach Ready for Good and Bad [OC Register]
Lakers threesome Still Alive in SB Nation’s 3-on-3 Tournament [Silver Screen and Roll]
Metta World Peace is in Shape [LA Times]
#NBArank 6: Kobe Bryant [ESPN]
Jordan Hill Avoids Jail Time for Assault Charge [Lakers Blog]
Wednesday Scrimmage Highlights [Lakers]
NBA Offseason Report: Los Angeles Lakers [CBS.com]
Chris Paul thinks Clippers have solved Lakers [Yahoo Sports]
A Peek at Howard’s Lakers Workout [NBA]
Stephen Jackson Would Not Let Metta World Peace Rap on His Album [LA Times]
Howard’s first Lakers workout [CBS Sports]
Go Behind the Scenes of the Lakers and Laker Girls [Lakers.com]
Time Warner Cable’s Broadcasts of Lakers Games Set for Tipoff [LA Times]
Dwight Howard Dances, Goofs Around, is 100 Percent in His Element on ‘Ellen’ [Yahoo Sports]
Writers’ Roundtable: Memories Of Role Players Past [Silver Screen and Roll]
Dorell Wright Believes Andrew Bynum is Better Than Dwight Howard [ESPN LA]
So Far, Steve Nash is More of a Laker Than Dwight Howard [OC Register]
Dwight Howard Update: Sept. 26 [Lakers]
NBA Comeback Day — The Beginning of the Kobe Era is the Lakers’ Greatest Comeback [Silver Screen and Roll]
NBA News
Off Season Reports [CBS]
Rooting for Royce White [Hardwood Paroxysm]
Michael Jordan Gave Scottie Pippen a Dance-Off for Pip’s 47th Birthday [Ball Don’t Lie]
Rajon Rondo Commits to Leading Celtics [Yahoo Sports]
The Brooklyn Nets New Dancer’s Uniforms are Different [Eye on Basketball]
The NBA’s Top Pick-and-Roll Partnerships [Hoop Speak]
Thunder Get Younger as Veteran Role Players Depart [NBA]
Rondo Says His Feud with Ray Allen is Overblown [ProBasketballTalk]
Kevin Durant Has a Red Panda Named After Him [The Basketball Jones]
Kevin Love Likes New-Look Wolves [ESPN]
The New Sixers Elite: Andrew Bynum Raises Philadelphia’s Status [SB Nation]
D.J. White Signs With Yao Ming’s Sharks [Yahoo Sports]
With Abdominal Injury Healed, Bosh Ready for Camp [NBA]
Chris Paul Says He’ll Be Ready [ESPN]
