Los Angeles Lakers: Free-agent signings aren’t needed to improve bench

Dwight Howard

The playoffs typically mean varying rotations and strategies, making adjustments on the flight to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, while their own strategy keeps shifting and adapting as well.

Dwight Howard was sometimes a victim, sometimes a beneficiary of it. His role in the postseason went from multiple DNPs against the micro Houston Rockets to starting for most of the Western Conference and NBA Finals.

With a new regular season, rotations should return to a condition of normality, with Dwight playing regularly off the bench receiving steady playing time. He thus will be able to return to his usual role of energetic athlete off the bench that so much electrified the crowd and Staples Center.

This way, he contributed to the team through the regular season, giving LA that boost of energy and enthusiasm on the floor they sometimes missed (albeit not necessary) in the playoffs, also because of the crowd’s absence. Returning to (hopefully) a situation of normality with fans on the stands should increase once again Howard’s value on the floor.