Lakers news: Anthony Davis explains why partnership with Dwight Howard has been so dominant

Dwight Howard won over the players in the Lakers locker room, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for his approach in his visit back in August.

Dwight Howard won over the players in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for his approach and mindset in his visit with the team back in August.

After the Lakers lost DeMarcus Cousins to an ACL tear, they were in need of another big man. Howard had a convincing and emotional meeting with the Lakers and LA wound up signing the former superstar to a non-guaranteed deal.

Some pundits were wondering how Howard would mesh with Davis on the court. Through the Lakers' first 14 games of the season, Dwight and AD have been dominant together, as the Lakers' net rating with Howard and Davis on the floor is +24.6, per NBA.com.

So why have Davis and Howard been such a good match? AD says Howard's elite defensive skills allow him and everyone else on the Lakers to pressure the ball and take gambles since they know Howard will protect them on the back end.

“Defensively, it allows not just myself, but everyone to pressure the ball, get to the ball, and make guys uncomfortable knowing that we have Dwight in the back, ready to block shots, alter shots, and he’s a great rebounder, which helps us get out and run in transition,” Davis told Bill Difilippo of Uproxx. “All of us are very happy that we have a guy like that, because it gives us another defensive look. Then, we can also go small where I’m at the five as well and other guys are able to do the same thing while I take the Dwight role.

“Offensively, he’s a load in the post. He’s rolling to the rim and he’s got three or four guys around him, which leads to open shots for everyone else, and he lets me just roam around the perimeter and get some easy jump shots or easy drives to the basket. Even when we’re driving, he’s a lob threat, being able to just drive and throw it up to the rim, he’ll go get it. He’s been great for us on both ends of the floor.”

Howard is averaging 6.7 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Lakers this season while shooting 75.0 percent from the field. He hasn't been a distraction on or off the court and seems to be taking his role very seriously with the Lakers this time around.