The 2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers had a disappointing season. Despite having a talented group headlined by players like Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, the squad was never able to completely get its footing.
Howard rejects the idea that he and Bryant had beef as teammates, but there did appear to be some tension between the two of them, and he recently shared a story that would seem to support that claim.
“We flew together,” Howard said, referencing his flight with Bryant to the 2013 All-Star Game. “We was on the same plane, and we didn’t even talk. I’m like, ‘Yo, my n—-, it’s just me and you. … We can’t even speak to each other?’ I’m like, ‘Nah, this ain’t right.’ … Then when we got to the lockers, me and him supposed to be next to each other ’cause they put all the teammates — he over here! And I’m like, ‘Yo, this crazy.’
“I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what was going on. So, man, that was tough to deal with, when you got a player that you watched growing up. I literally watched Kobe growing up, even though we played together and had all these disagreements, whatever people wanna say. This still somebody that I looked at, like, ‘Dang, this Kobe Bryant, man. I wanna be like that one day.’ … And then now we teammates, and it’s like, ‘Man, this n—-‘s on mute with me, like, what’s going on?’ That was kinda rough.”
The 2012-13 Lakers featured players like Bryant, Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace. They were expected to be a force in the championship race. Instead, they struggled just to reach the playoffs, then they were swept in the first round with Bryant sidelined and some other players also battling injuries.
That was Howard’s first stint with the Purple and Gold. It lasted just one season. During it, he averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, earning All-NBA Third Team honors.
Years later, he eventually found his way back to the Lakers for the 2019-20 season for a second stint with the franchise. That one was special, with Howard helping L.A. capture the 2020 NBA title in the bubble. The big man was past his prime but still contributed to the championship.
Howard then left the Lakers but ended up back with the team one last time in the 2021-22 campaign, marking his third stint with the organization. That was a season to forget for the Lakers, as they missed the playoffs. Howard hasn’t played in the NBA since then.
His resume features eight All-Star nods, eight All-NBA selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and a number of other accolades. He will almost certainly find himself in the Hall of Fame one day.
Although his time with Bryant on the Lakers didn’t go as planned, he still gave L.A. fans some memorable moments during his three stints with the organization. The 2020 title was particularly special for Lakers fans following Bryant’s passing.
