The Dwight Howard era of the Los Angeles Lakers has yet to officially begin on the basketball floor with the perennial All-Star still working at getting his back to a 100 percent before making his debut.
As of right now, the goal for Howard is to be ready for opening night against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 30. With almost three weeks left until the Lakers take on the Mavs to get the regular season underway, Howard is on pace to achieve that goal as he’s looked better than expected during the first week of training camp.
Along with Lakers fans anxiously awaiting his debut in purple and gold, the prospect of the three-time Defensive Player of the Year re-signing with the team after this upcoming season is improving with every passing day.
Howard had the following to say about the recent trade to the Lakers according to Mike Prada of SBNation.com via Twitter:
Dwight on being traded to the Lakers: “This is one of the best things that has happened in my life”
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) October 8, 2012
Over the course of an 82-game regular season and potential long playoff run to follow, anything can happen with potentially a few bumps in the road for Howard and the new-look Lakers.
With all the different egos and personalities on this team, it’s very possible that not all the players and coaches will see eye-to-eye if the team begins to struggle.
Los Angeles is a hub for drama with constant media coverage and scrutiny surrounding the Lakers. With all the moves made and attention drawn to the team as a result, controversies and conflicts within the team are bound to take place at one point or another with the immense pressure to succeed becoming overwhelming.
Regardless of potential problems during the upcoming season, it looks more and more likely that Howard isn’t going anywhere and that a long-term deal will get signed next summer. Not only is Howard extremely happy about his situation in Los Angeles without even playing a single game yet, but he stands to be a very rich man by staying with the Lakers signing a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $100 million.
A bright future and birth of a dynasty appears to be around the corner for the Lakers franchise once again as long as the coaching staff and front office can keep it all together.
