Dwight Howard didn’t exactly receive the friendliest welcome back to Staples Center when his Houston Rockets visited LA to face the Clippers on Monday night. The Houston center was booed during team introductions before the game, and then he was booed on his offensive touches.
What would Clippers fans have against him? It’s probably a combination of things.
One, maybe there are some Clippers fans who are also Lakers fans and don’t like that the center left the purple and gold. Two, Howard frustrated a lot of fans over the past few seasons with his indecisiveness regarding his future. Maybe the fans don’t like him because of that. Or, more simply, the fans may have been booing because Howard is a top player on a top team that is expected to contend with the Clippers for the Western Conference title.
Asked after the game about being booed, Howard said “I don’t care,” even though he probably does.
The big man ended up with just 13 points and 9 rebounds in 25 minutes in the 137-118 loss. The margin of defeat left Rockets GM Daryl Morey impressed:
We aren't playing well but the Clippers are very good. Will be very tough to beat by anyone.
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) November 5, 2013
Congratulations to CP3 and Doc Rivers, that was impressive
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) November 5, 2013
It’s early November. I fully expect the Rockets to be one of the best in the West this season and even better than the Clippers when the playoffs come.
