The more things change, the more they stay the same. Dwight Howard may no longer be with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Shaq still loves to rip on him.
Speaking at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Shaq leveled Howard with some criticism for leaving the Lakers to sign with the Houston Rockets.
“It was expected,” Shaq said. “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 similarly commented on Howard leaving, saying the move “left a distaste in Lakerland.”
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
While the disses are funny, it’s just piling on in a weak way. Houston was a much better fit for Howard. The Lakers are Kobe’s team and he refuses to give that up. The Lakers will be worse off for keeping Bryant as the center of the team rather than building around Howard, who is younger and better than the aging Kobe, who is coming off an Achilles injury. Why would Dwight want to deal with Kobe’s crap the next three seasons instead of going to a better team that will appreciate him more?
Recall that Shaq has had a beef with Howard for years. It started when Shaq got pissed at Dwight for stealing the “Superman” nickname. Then they exchanged barbs over who was flopping when they played each other. Shaq continued to put Dwight down, saying he faces no competition. He even laughably said last season that Brook Lopez was better than Dwight. Shaq has too much hate for Howard for his comments about the center to be taken seriously.
