Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard infamously butted heads during their lone season together with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Kobe believes Howard will be in a better position to succeed in LA seven years later. Howard agrees.
In a recent appearance on “The Talk” on CBS, Bryant said he feels Howard is ready to “do whatever is necessary to help this team” in his second stint with the Lakers, and Kobe is confident Howard will accomplish that.
“I think he’s ready for this next time around to do whatever is necessary to help this team be successful & I think he’ll do it.”@kobebryant on @DwightHoward
Via: @TheTalkCBS | #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/FM0WJoK5Ez
— LakeShowWorld (@LakeShowWorld) September 10, 2019
Howard was asked about Bryant’s remarks in an interview with Shams Charania of Stadium, and he said he appreciates Kobe saying that and agrees with the five-time NBA champion.
.@DwightHoward to NBA Insider @ShamsCharania on Kobe Bryant saying Howard is ready to succeed in second stint with Lakers: “I appreciate him saying that. He’s right.”
Full interview: https://t.co/qhAY1WtkAg pic.twitter.com/2SoZaDGJpt
— Stadium (@Stadium) September 26, 2019
“I haven’t spoken to him. I appreciate him saying that,” Howard said. “He didn’t have to. He’s right.”
It’s interesting that Howard feels another Lakers legend’s opinion of him is “irrelevant” but appreciates what Kobe said, though it’s not surprising. Howard has historically not responded well to negative criticism, which is something he claims he has tried to work on in recent years.
There are a number of reasons Bryant and Howard clashed, but Kobe didn’t really hide how he felt about Dwight during that season. It’s probably easier for Kobe to compliment Howard when he doesn’t have to share a locker room with him.
