EL SEGUNDO – At the halfway point of the 2019-20 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers own the best record in the Western Conference at 33-8. The superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis has proven to be an ideal combination for this team along with some other key pieces, including veteran center Dwight Howard.
After practice on Friday before leaving for a five-game road trip, Howard talked about his this Lakers squad and whether he's surprised that they've only lost eight games up to this point.
“I'm not surprised,” Howard said of the Lakers' record. “I think we have a great group of guys who enjoy the game of basketball who enjoy each other and we have a lot of fun winning. The culture here is amazing. Our fans have been great. We just want to keep doing what we're doing.”
Howard also talked about his unique role with the Lakers in his second stint and how he's still very much determined to do whatever is asked of him off the bench. The journeyman center has thrived in his role back in Los Angeles while enjoying the process as the team continues to win games consistently.
“Whatever this team needs me to do, I'm willing to do it,” Howard said. “It's not about being comfortable, just being myself. Just having fun. Enjoying the game and staying in the moment.”
Following their final practice in Los Angeles before hopping on a plane, Howard gave some interesting thoughts on the team's upcoming five-game road trip. He's actually looking forward to the chemistry building that can take place on a long trip like the team is about to embark on.
“No, this is a great road trip,” Howard on the Lakers playing five games away from Staples Center. “We've been home. We get a chance to go on the road. I think when we're on the road, we get a real good chance of building together as a team because it's just us on the road. We get a chance to build and grow and learn from each other.
“I think Rondo talked about us being together one night before the game in OKC and how that really helped us the next day. Opportunities like this is great for our team to just grow. Learn from each other. Build from each other, and of course, it's going to really help our chemistry on the floor.”
The Lakers will play five games on this trip with some tough opponents ahead, starting with one of Howard's former teams in the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles will also face the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers before coming back home to take on Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers for a third time this season.
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