LOS ANGELES – Once DeMarcus Cousins went down with a torn ACL ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were put in a difficult situation having to scramble for a viable replacement. Fortunately, two options emerged in Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard.

Howard struggled to return to form after leaving Los Angeles back in the summer of 2013. Dwight's time with the Houston Rockets wasn't all that forgettable, but every stop after that was a disappointment with many writing off the eight-time All-Star as a washed-up center approaching the end of his career.

However, he's been given another chance with the Lakers as the team chose to bring him back rather than signing Noah. So far, the gamble and Howard's promise to be a good teammate is paying off for Los Angeles with fans of the storied franchise buying in. Anthony Davis talked about Dwight's impact at the center position after an impressive performance against the Charlotte Hornets.

“He's been developing and doing a great job all year on both ends of the floor,” Davis said of his new teammate. “Dwight's been able to block shots, rebound, get us second-chance opportunities, and also finishes around the rim. Anytime he's on the floor; he definitely makes us a better team.”

Before signing with the Lakers this summer, Howard made it clear he's determined to put the team first with the sole goal of winning a championship. He appears to be keeping that promise while winning over Lakers fans and his new teammates.

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“It's only one goal, it's only one mission, and that's to win the championship,” Howard said. “In order to do that, every second, every minute is championship basketball. Whether it's in the weight room, the training room, everything is championship, so hopefully, we'll just continue this statement of who we are and just continue to believe. I believe we can make something really, really special. Every moment counts, so that's how I try to approach it.”

At 2-1, the Lakers have a lot of basketball ahead of them, with some stiff competition across the league. Howard may be turning in Los Angeles and around the NBA for that matter, but there's a long way to go, and he'll have to keep playing at this level consistently to continue this career resurgence in a city he once left behind.