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Los Angeles Lakers roster: Examining the center rotation

By Addam Goldman

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls LaMarcus Aldridge #21 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of a pre-season game at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls LaMarcus Aldridge #21 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of a pre-season game at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers free agency Dwight Howard
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard’s rise was higher than DeAndre Jordan’s; hence, his fall from the top was much harder.

Dwight Howard skipped college and was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004. He played all 82 games, averaging a double-double to go along with nearly two blocks per game. Dwight Howard then went on to……

  • Make his first All-Star game in 2007.
  • Steal Shaq’s “Superman” nickname while simultaneously winning the 2008 dunk contest.
  • Win three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2009, 2010, 2011.
  • Make fans wonder whether he somehow got shoulder implants.
  • Guide the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals in 2009 before getting dominated by Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers.

In 2012, he got his head coach, Stan Van Gundy, fired, sparking his fall from grace. He dominated too much, too soon.

Howard grew arrogant and egotistical. He stopped training as hard in the offseason, and he stopped focusing on his diet. He actually began to think he was Superman.

From 2012 to 2019, he only played one full season as he bounced from Orlando to Los Angeles and then to Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, LA again, and Philadelphia.

Now Dwight Howard finds himself back in La La Land, a changed man. He’s no longer an arrogant clown, and he no longer eats an entire bag of Skittles, followed by ten candy bars before games. He no longer thinks he’s a walking basketball god.

Dwight Howard began his career as a devastating force, transformed into a failure, and finally morphed into a humble defensive center.

MORE: Pau Gasol’s five greatest playoff games as a Laker

Last season Dwight Howard was a rock for the Philadelphia 76ers. He played in 69 out of 72 games, held his assignments to one percent lower than their normal average, and finished the season with a career-high 35 percent defensive rebound rate. Howard didn’t stretch the floor on offense. His post-game was non-existent. And at 35-years-old, sometimes he struggled to keep smaller perimeter players in front of him.

While DeAndre Jordan was the Lakers’ worst player during their first preseason game, Dwight Howard was the best. He ate up space in the middle, quickly covering two men during pick and roll situations before finally collapsing on whoever shot the ball. He also looked spry on the perimeter, and he cleaned up the boards when the Lakers were floundering to get a rebound.

Lakers fans can expect more of the same this season from Dwight Howard. He’ll protect the lane, gobble up rebounds, and flash to the rim for the occasional dunk or putback on offense. Yeah, he might clog up the offense with his non-existent three-point shot. And sure, he’ll get beat off the occasional switch on defense. But he’ll be a boon for the Lakers.

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