After a one-year cool-off, Dwight Howard is back with the Los Angeles Lakers and it has become quite clear that he will continue to take on a leadership role.

Howard, who finally won an NBA title with the Lakers two seasons ago, will find himself with a bunch of new teammates, as the roster got heavily retooled in the offseason. Headlining the fresh faces for the Purple & Gold, of course, is Russell Westbrook. The former MVP has become one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. But for Howard, people got it all wrong with Westbrook (via Silver Screen and Roll).

“I think it will work great. He’s (Westbrook) played with superstars before. He’s played with KD (Kevin Durant) and James (Harden), he’s played with Bradley Beal, he’s played with so many superstars, so I don’t think that will be a problem for him. I think he has been underappreciated. I think all of us, really, have been underappreciated.”

Indeed, as Howard pointed out, Westbrook has been heavily undervalued. The fact that he's averaged a triple-double in three straight seasons isn't as pronounced as it should be. Many non-believers have dismissed Westbrook as a guy just chasing numbers, perhaps not realizing how difficult it is to churn out all-around numbers on a nightly basis in the NBA.

Of course, Howard is no stranger to getting bashed as well. His first stint with the Lakers didn't end well, making him a journeyman before finally redeeming himself with a championship.

Playing for the Lakers, Russell Westbrook will be under an even more intense microscope. Good thing for him, Dwight Howard has his back.