Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard made his return to Orlando to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Seven years after his messy divorce from the team, however, some fans still haven't moved on from the dark episode in their franchise.
Howard, nonetheless, wants them to move on from that bitter past, just like he did.
“I think it takes everybody a while to get over things, but time should heal wounds, and if not, got to let that s— go,” Howard said before the Lakers played the Magic, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “That's how — I'm sorry — that's how I look at it. I've let a lot of things go in my heart, things that have kind of held me down. Things that I had towards the Magic and just how the situation ended. How I was treated by the fans and stuff like that. But I had to let that bitterness go. There's no need to hold onto it. When I let it go, it just made my life a lot better. Just more free.”
To recall, Howard requested to be traded in the 2011-12 season, feeling that the organization wasn't doing anything to propel the Magic into becoming a legitimate title contender. Coupled with this, Howard wasn't seeing eye to eye with head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Howard was sent to the Lakers to team up and form a powerhouse squad with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. Unfortunately, it was a team-up that went nowhere, and many blamed Howard for not playing up to par with Bryant's intensity.
Aware of his history with the Purple and Gold, Howard expressed his gratitude for being given another chance to play for the legendary organization. He also cited that he is happy that the separation with the Magic happened, emphasizing that he wouldn't be the player he is today without that experience.
“I got blessed to come back and play with the Lakers, and I'm in a really good situation,” Howard added. “I'm pretty sure there were a lot of people here who were super hurt and disappointed that I left. And I'm sorry for that. You know, I apologize if they felt that way. But I never would have been the person I am today if I would have stayed here. So I'm very thankful that everything that has transpired has transpired and it's made me the best version of Dwight Howard.”
The last few years have indeed been messy for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. But perhaps the worst is now over, as Howard has been nothing short of impressive for the Lakers.
After years of seemingly falling out of the radar, it's safe to say that Dwight Howard is back.
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