Dwight Howard Surmises Playing Injured For Lakers ‘Means Nothing To People’

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Lost in the hoopla of Paul George’s homecoming this week was that Dwight Howard also made his return to Staples Center. Of course, it’s understandable, considering the Los Angeles Lakers fan base reveres George and largely despises Howard.

And if there was any doubt, fans made that crystal clear during respective lineup introductions on Wednesday and Friday. George was cheered as if he already plays for the Lakers, and Howard was soundly booed.

“I don’t think about it. At some point they get over it,” Howard said of the treatment he received. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Charlotte Hornets’ 108-94 rout.

The loss was the Lakers’ ninth in a row and 12th in the past 13 games. Their losing streak is longer than two separate eight-game skids they endured last season.

The franchise has largely been in a downturn since the 2012-13 season, Howard’s only year with the Lakers. Injuries and chemistry issues derailed what was expected to be a championship campaign.

Nonetheless, the Lakers went all-out in their free-agency pitch to Howard, but he was ultimately moved to sign with the Houston Rockets. Now in his fifth year removed from playing for the Lakers, Howard has been jeered in each game at Staples Center.

Howard maintains he “had a good time” playing for the Lakers, but couldn’t refrain from again referencing a lack of appreciation for pushing through injuries. “I thought I played very well despite coming off of back surgery and also tearing a labrum, which I guess means nothing to people,” he added.

“Other than that, it’s always fun to come here and play in L.A.”

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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