Los Angeles Lakers: Is Dwight Howard the solution?

Is pursuing Dwight Howard the right move for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Here we go again. It has been a long road for the Los Angeles Lakers since the 8-time All-Star Dwight Howard was donning the purple and gold. During that time, the Lakers have had some of the worst seasons in the franchise’s storied history. They have been relegated to being a lottery team for numerous years and stuck rebuilding to get back to playoff relevance.

Howard during this period has also had a tumultuous time. Having signed with the Houston Rockets after departing the Lakers, things did not go according to plan for Howard in Houston either.

During his three-year period with the Rockets, he butted heads with superstar guard and franchise cornerstone, James Harden. Howard constantly complained that he wasn’t getting enough touches and that more of the offense should run through him. Harden with his play since coming to Houston has more than proved Howard wrong.

In quick succession, Howard has played for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and is now under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.

So what has gone wrong for Howard that has led a former 3-time defensive player of the year and one of the most dominant big men in the NBA since Shaquille O’Neal, to being a journeyman who hasn’t been able to stay on an NBA roster for more than a year since his time with the Houston Rockets?

A lot of the blame can be put on Howard’s injury history. While with the Orlando Magic, Dwight suffered a herniated disk in his back which would cause him to miss the rest of the 2011-12 season.

Howard was then traded to the Lakers, however, the back injury lingered into the season causing Howard to miss valuable offseason training alongside his new teammates.

While fighting to overcome his back injury, Howard was also carrying a recurring should injury which later became a torn labrum. He worked through the injuries, but he wasn’t the same dominant big man the world saw in Orlando.

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Another strong indicator of why Howard has not stuck around is due to Howard’s past as a childish individual.

Howard was known in the past to be an immature player and constantly didn’t see eye to eye with his coaches, most notably with former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy.

He smiled and joked anytime he was receiving criticism and even when things are going badly for the team, Howard seems to have a smile on his face and continues to be oblivious to the situation developing right in front of his eyes.

His persona has grown thin at each of his stops over the last 6 years.

So why would the Lakers want to bring him back? Why would Dwight want to come back?

On the Lakers side, they have just lost DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins likely for the year to an ACL injury. Cousins was a low-risk high reward player brought in on a one-year deal. However, the loss is still significant to the Lakers as apart from JaVale McGee, the Lakers do not have a center on the roster. Also, players of Cousins’ caliber are very hard to find this late into free agency.

For Dwight, he has outstayed his welcome with each team over the last couple of years. The opportunities for him are dwindling. Fewer teams are willing to give him a shot, even less want to put up with his odd personality.

At 33-years-old, Dwight is now entering the twilight of his career. At the end of the day, what will Dwight be remembered for? Will he be remembered as one of the best defensive big men of the modern era? Or will he be remembered as the happy go lucky man child who caused problems at each of the stops during his NBA career?

One thing we can’t take away from Howard, he will be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the first half of his career alone. Dwight in his prime was the best defender in the NBA, he also led the league in rebounds 5 times, beating a record held by Wilt Chamberlain. He has also led the league in blocks as well as field-goal percentage.

Coming towards the end of his career over the next few years, Howard has the opportunity to right some wrongs and to alter his perception.

With the Lakers, Dwight has the chance to win a ring that has alluded him his entire career. For the Lakers, they get a player who can still average a double-double and who is keen to prove people wrong.

If Dwight can provide some defense in the paint, as well as being a pick and roll/lob threat on offense, then the Lakers could use him. Howard is a low-risk, high reward player.

Can the Lakers get the last ounces of talent out of Howard? Can Howard fix his reputation and in return, finish his career on a high? Only time will tell.