- Darvin Ham says LeBron James is experiencing ‘really significant soreness’ in his left foot
- Report: Lakers have concerns about Russell Westbrook’s ‘playoff viability’
- Al Horford’s sister shares several disgusting threats she has received from fans since Lakers-Celtics game
- Brian Scalabrine says that if his son threw tantrum like LeBron James did vs. Celtics, he wouldn’t play him in overtime
- LeBron James says Lakers loss vs. Celtics was ‘one of the best games we’ve played all year’
- NBA players and media outraged after no-call on LeBron James at end of Lakers-Celtics game
- Al Horford’s brother and sister rip LeBron James after no-call at end of Lakers-Celtics game
- Report: NBA reached out to Lakers immediately after game to inform them that LeBron James was fouled by Jayson Tatum
- James Worthy unleashes angry tirade on refs after no-call on LeBron: ‘That’s one of the worst NBA referee crews I’ve seen’
- Lonnie Walker IV says he’s ‘pretty close’ to returning for Lakers, could play vs. Celtics
Jeanie Buss Says Kobe Bryant Advocated for Lakers to Sign Dwight Howard Last Summer
- Updated: May 23, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss revealed that the team consulted legend Kobe Bryant before signing center Dwight Howard this past offseason.
“I’m nodding my head yes,” Buss said on the “Daddy Issues with Joe Buck and Oliver Hudson” podcast. “I mean, Kobe wanted us to win. He wanted to see the Lakers win, and Kobe came to a couple games, and he was happy to see Dwight and greeted him.”
Bryant and Howard didn’t have the best relationship when they were teammates during the 2012-13 season.
“I tried teaching Dwight. I tried showing him,” Bryant said in a 2015 interview with USA Today. “But the reality is that when you have a perception of what it is to win a championship—and most perceptions of what it’s like to win are a very outgoing, very gregarious locker room where you pick each other up and you’re friends all the time.
“That’s the perception. And I think that’s what his perception was of what the idea is. But when he saw the reality of it, it made him uncomfortable. And it’s very tough to be able to fight through that, to deal with that challenge. And I don’t think he was willing to deal with that uncomfortable and combative nature.”
Despite their differences from their time as teammates, Bryant saw that Howard could fit in and help the 2019-20 Lakers win.
After the Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins to a torn ACL in an offseason workout, Howard became a logical choice to fill the void.
Howard has been solid off the bench for the Lakers, averaging 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.