Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis, LeBron, Rondo roll Denver, 5 Lessons

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Anthony Davis #3 is congratulated by Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers following a win against the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Anthony Davis #3 is congratulated by Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers following a win against the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Dwight Howard was telling the truth to the Los Angeles Lakers! 

What was Dwight Howard truthful for? He made a promise to Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers’ front office that he wanted to come back and do whatever it took to help the team win an NBA title. He even put his money where his mouth was. He signed a non-guaranteed deal.

Lake Show Life even begged about a week before the deal went down! We even though he should start at the beginning of the season!

If there was a chance for Dwight Howard to go back to the behavior that sullied his reputation, it was last series against Houston. He did not play one minute in the series when Frank Vogel went to the small-ball lineup.

Dwight Howard made his return with a vengeance.

Howard played only 16 minutes but finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals and a plus-minus of +14. What Anthony Davis was doing to Nikola Jokic on the offensive end, Howard doubled down on the defensive end.

His defense on Nikola Jokic aggravated him to the point of being soft. His frustration led to him getting in foul trouble (5 fouls) as a result. Dwight Howard was a force on both ends of the floor.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1307153494579638272

Howard was so good, he took JaVale McGee’s minutes in the second half. Lake Show Life gives Dwight Howard a ton of credit for staying ready after hardly playing at all recently. He’s gone from a DNP-CD  to being a key in this series.

We’ve talked about two bench players in Rondo and Howard. Let’s close this discussion about the “others”. Shaquille O’Neal’s favorite term for role players!