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Los Angeles Lakers: Most important role players to win a championship

By Oleg Svystun

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 17: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 17, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 17: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 17, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Dwight Howard

What a great, resurgent season it has been for Dwight Howard. Last season, Dwight only played 9 total games for the Washington Wizards. At the beginning of this season, the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn’t even give him a guaranteed contract.

They gave him a $2.56 million deal – the absolute minimum for a player with 10+ years’ service, nonguaranteed. Not to mention, the animosity towards him by LA fans after the first failed union. Well, major kudos to Dwight Howard.

Dwight managed to flip the script. Dwight’s effort, toughness, rebounding, willingness to mentor young guys, and classic bench moments transformed Dwight from villain to fan favorite and got his deal fully guaranteed.

Dwight has been solid this year in playing the role that LA’s asked him to play. He won’t lead this team to a championship. But if they do get there, best believe he will be a big reason why.

Dwight is LA’s best frontcourt defender not named AD and it’s not close – sorry JaVale — and his defense will paramount in seven-game series against the NBA’s best. Even by NBA standards, Dwight is bigger and stronger than most guys. It’s these physical tools that he’ll need to rely on.

Next. Dissecting the Lakers' offensive struggles. dark

He needs to bang down low, scoop up rebounds, and get the Los Angeles Lakers easy buckets. If he can do that, he’ll make Rob Pelinka look like a genius. Dwight has already had a good year. Now, there’s just one thing left to put the cherry on top of this season, and vindicate his previous season in LA.

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