The Los Angeles Lakers brought Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and GM Mitch Kupchak to their Tuesday meeting with free agent Dwight Howard, probably to remind the center of the team’s dysfunctional times last season. They reportedly discussed how things went last year and what they can do better. Kobe also had some words for Dwight during their meeting and, if what is being reported about his sales pitch is accurate, then there is no way the big man returns to the team.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Bryant told Howard that the young center has to learn how to become a winner, and that the big man can learn from Bryant how to become a champion. Bryant also reportedly said he would continue to push Howard.
Seriously, worst sales pitch ever, right?
Bryant previously said he would not try to convince Howard to return to the Lakers because he wants the decision to be Howard’s rather than one the big man was reluctantly pushed into. Knowing what we do about Howard’s character, I have to imagine that everything Bryant said to him is the opposite of what he wants.
Howard likes to goof off away from the court, not keep it serious like Bryant. He wants to win, but it doesn’t seem like he will be comfortable with all the demands and pressure that comes with being in the LA spotlight. If he has just as good of a chance of winning in Houston, Dallas, or Golden State as he would in LA, why would he want to deal with Bryant’s attitude? The two do not seem like they fit well as teammates, and I think Howard recognizes that. I’m guessing his free agent decision will reflect that understanding.
