Dwight Howard on Tuesday night responded to a report saying he was “extremely unhappy” being overshadowed by James Harden on the Houston Rockets, calling it a “rumor and lies.”
The report was published by Sheridan Hoops on Tuesday and went viral. Not only does Sheridan report that Howard is unhappy, but the he also says the Rockets may look to trade the center.
“I haven’t said anything to anybody about anything. People make up lies and rumors,” Howard said in response to the report after Tuesday’s 107-97 loss to the Sacramento Kings, via the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen.
“I’m trying to get these guys to play better and myself to play better. People say what they got to say to get a story out. People are always going to come up with some rumor and lies. That’s what it is. I can’t focus on that,” said Howard, via Feigen.
If there’s anyone who should have plenty of experience deflecting trade rumors, it’s Howard. The guy practically held the Orlando Magic hostage for a few years as we awaited his decision about staying with the team or leaving. He eventually accused the Magic of blackmailing him. Then reports leaked out constantly about him not liking the Lakers before he left them in free agency.
If Howard cannot make it work in Houston — a destination he hand-picked in free agency — then that will leave us no doubt about his inability to lead and work with others. He got Stan Van Gundy fired in Orlando, wanted Mike D’Antoni fired with the Lakers, and Kevin McHale got fired in Houston this season. Rumors and negative leaks follow him at every destination. Is that a coincidence? It hardly seems like it.
