Two Laker legends, centers Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Laker fan and rapper Ice Cube, and the L.A. based radio station Power-106, all were extremely critical of Howard’s decision to leave Los Angeles and did not hide their displeasures.
Abdul-Jabbar took to Facebook on Monday to express his feelings regarding Dwight’s time in Los Angeles, calling out Dwight for his lack of improvement during his stint as a Laker. This wasn’t the first time Abdul-Jabbar had been critical of Dwight either, in an interview with the San Francisco chronicle in May, Kareem had plenty to say about Dwight’s game.
“He gets the ball on offense, oh, my God, he doesn’t know what to do. It’s usually a turnover, people come and take the ball from him or tie his arms up. Offensively, he doesn’t get it. Hasn’t made any progress. We (the Lakers when Kareem was an assistant coach) played them in ‘09, and when I saw him this past season, he was the same player.”
Following the trend of former Lakers’ centers criticizing Dwight, Shaq had a few things to say about Dwight’s decision to leave the bright lights of L.A.
According to ESPN, Shaq wasn’t particularly supportive of Dwight’s decision to move to Houston.
“It was expected. We’ve all been in L.A., and not a whole lot of people can handle being under the bright lights. Everybody wants to do it, but when you get there, there are certain pressures. I think it was a safe move for him to go to a little town like Houston. That’s right, little town. I said it.”
Phil Jackson was probably the least critical of Dwight Howard of the prominent LA figures that decided to comment, however the Zen Master wasn’t without a jab or two, calling Dwight an “Astro” rather than the name of his new team, the Rockets. Jackson took to Twitter to express his feelings on Dwight’s leaving and the future of the Lakers.
Reflection on DHoward’s exodus. He left a distaste in Lakerland The Lakers will be fine. Pau fits MDA’s style of Off-it was about the future
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) July 7, 2013
What DH brings to the game is power and D. This past year didn’t show due it to rehab and confusion. If he is better of an Astro, so be it.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) July 7, 2013
Along with former NBA players and coaches, some LA celebrities decided to let Dwight know how they feel about his decision to leave Tinseltown for Houston. Rapper/Actor/Public Figure Ice Cube chose to leave Dwight with a few choice words while on stage at the Greek Theatre during his “Kings of the Mic” tour.
Finally, the popular Los Angeles based radio station, 105.9, better known as Power 106 had their own celebration of Dwight’s departure with their #DWIGHTCOWARD hour mix tape, during which they repeatedly bashed on the former Laker via call-in’s and cut-ups.
Based on the reaction from most of Los Angeles, it is safe to say the Dwight Howard saga will not be soon forgotten nor forgiven.
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