Los Angeles Lakers: Three surprises from the first five games

3. The resurgence of Avery Bradley and Dwight Howard

After Avery Bradley and Dwight Howard were considered ‘cooked’ entering this season, both players have bounced back thus far and have been two of the more valuable pieces to the Laker’s overall success.

Bradley has been a defensive hound and has taken the task of guarding opposing point guards and excelled. He routinely picks up guards at full court and is a menace on the ball.

His offense was the main concern and he has so far shown promising signs that his shot has returned. Not only is he knocking down the spot-up three, but he’s also getting a little frisky as a pick and roll player, snaking around picks and pulling up for mid-range shots.

For Dwight Howard, his redemption tour is in full swing as the former All-Star has been a great player in limited minutes.

No, he’s not going to return to his DPOY, All-NBA, and All-Star self, but that was never in play. But his ability to be a force on the boards, as well as a defensive presence inside the paint in is huge for a team that seems committed to pairing Anthony Davis with a true center for most of the game.

The most important thing is that he has set his ego aside, and is finally accepting a lesser role, which at this point in his career, he needed to do. His resurgence also allows Anthony Davis some breathing room, as he doesn’t have to go up against bruising centers nearly as much as we thought he was going to have to do, thanks in large part to Howard’s stellar play.