Lakers’ Howard blessed after hitting ‘all-time low’

LOS ANGELES — Earlier than signing with the Lakers in one of many extra stunning reunions in NBA historical past, Dwight Howard mentioned his life away from the courtroom hit all-time low this summer season.

“It did not have something to do with basketball,” Howard mentioned Wednesday throughout an introductory convention name with reporters. “It was simply stuff going [on] in my private life. Mentally, bodily and spiritually. It had nothing to do with me as a basketball participant or something like that. It was simply private issues that I needed to cope with which made me stronger.”

The Lakers are banking on Howard, 33, strengthening their inside protection and plugging the void left when DeMarcus Cousins went down with a torn left ACL throughout offseason exercises.

Howard has already performed one season in L.A. — the disastrous 2012-13 marketing campaign marred by infighting, accidents and the loss of life of longtime Lakers proprietor Dr. Jerry Buss — earlier than spurning the franchise to signal with the Houston Rockets as a free agent.

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He mentioned that the prospect to return again — he tweeted to followers in April 2013 after the Lakers have been eradicated from the playoffs that “I hope I get the prospect to make it as much as you” — is “a really massive blessing” and an “superior expertise.”

“I by no means had any sick will towards any of the followers right here in L.A.,” Howard mentioned. “I beloved this metropolis from the primary second I have been right here and began enjoying within the NBA. It was by no means nothing in opposition to anyone right here [on] the group or something like that, it was only a resolution I made. I really like this metropolis. I really like enjoying in L.A. I am again right here, so none of that stuff previously even actually issues to me anymore. I believe all of us have a recent begin.”

“It has been six years, in 2020 it’s going to be seven years. … I am massive on numbers. Seven is for brand spanking new beginnings … I am trying ahead to having a recent begin with the followers and stuff like that. Present them my solely dedication is to placing one other banner up right here in Los Angeles.”

In fact, that was the identical music he sang when he left for Houston all these years in the past, telling ESPN on the time that he was “betting $30 million” — the amount of cash he left on the desk from the Lakers’ supply versus the Rockets’ supply he accepted — that he would win a championship within the Bayou Metropolis.

He busted on the guess — the Rockets went 13-16 in three postseason appearances with Howard — earlier than bouncing across the league, enjoying one-off seasons for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. He was purchased out by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier than ever enjoying a sport, facilitating the transfer again to the Lakers on a non-guaranteed contract, as earlier reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Howard mentioned he tackled his private strife this summer season by means of studying and meditation workout routines to middle himself.

Dwight Howard mentioned Wednesday that the prospect to return to the Los Angeles Lakers is “a really massive blessing” after he had a tricky offseason during which he felt he hit “all-time low” in his private life. Scott Cunningham/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

“This summer season was essential to me as a person,” he mentioned. “Acquired an opportunity to essentially isolate myself. Not from individuals however simply actually isolate, actually attempt to get alone and turn into one with myself and turn into extra balanced. This summer season was actually, actually necessary for me.”

However he additionally made certain to immerse himself in dialog with new teammates — he name-checked Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee — to allow them to know the way critical he’s about serving to the group.

“All people right here desires to win, and I need to win, too,” Howard mentioned. “It wasn’t about promoting myself. It was simply letting them know every thing I am about, and what we’re attempting to perform.”

A number of instances on the decision, Howard, who will put on No. 39 in L.A., was reluctant to make any sort of assertion that may trigger any eyebrows to boost. “I’ve all the time mentioned plenty of phrases, however I would just moderately present you guys,” he mentioned at one level.

He saved that very same tact when requested about former Lakers Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant trolling him on Twitter final week whereas they have been squashing their newest beef.

“Shaq and Kobe are a few of the best gamers to ever play this sport of basketball. I’ve nothing however love and respect for each of these guys, and I believe what they have been capable of accomplish of their lives after basketball has been wonderful,” he mentioned. “My job is to return right here and assist this group win. It is to not get into any arguments or fights with Shaq or Kobe or anyone. I do not plan to permit something to distract me from serving to this group win a championship.”