LOS ANGELES – The comeback tour continues for Dwight Howard with the future Hall of Famer making quite an impression in his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Along with accepting his role and exceeding expectations as a key contributor off the bench for the Lakers, Howard has turned some heads by hitting a few shots from beyond the arc this season. The Lakers won't be looking in Howard's direction when they need a three-pointer in crunch time or in any situation that isn't a broken play with the shot clock winding down, but he is currently shooting 50 from deep.
On Tuesday night against the New York Knicks, Howard hit a three from top of the key and got quite a reaction from Lakers fans and his teammates. Howard was asked about knocking down his second three-pointer on the season after Los Angeles beat New York by 30.
“Did I? I've been practicing every night after the games and before the games, so it was just like a rhythm shot,” Howard said of his three-point shot. “I just wanted to take my time and make it.”
Dwight has been keeping up his routine of practicing three-point shooting after games along with putting in some work at the free-throw line and in the post. He's not going to become a three-point shooter all of a sudden or become a threat from beyond the arc like teammates Anthony Davis and a healthy DeMarcus Cousins, but it can't hurt to be prepared in the event he's open.
“I've been doing that for at least six, seven years now,” Howard said. “I just like being in the gym and working hard. It's worked for me, so I just keep doing it.”
Along with another solid performance in a Lakers uniform in which he finished with 13 rebounds, eight points, and five blocks against the Knicks, Howard's contract with Los Angeles became fully guaranteed for the rest of the season.
“Well, the mission is not complete,” Howard said. “I'm not going to change up who I am. I'm going to continue to work hard every single day, continue to be the best teammate, and Dwight Howard I can be for everyone – in the locker room, the fans, media, whoever it may be. Just enjoy and embrace the moment. My teammates have been amazing, and I am just happy and grateful and thankful that I have this opportunity again here in L.A. So every time I step on the court, I just try and give 135 percent and just be the best I can.”
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year may see a bump in minutes during the team's upcoming two-game road trip with Davis dealing with a back injury sustained against the Knicks. The Lakers center has proven to be a valuable addition to this team and is needed more than ever with no telling whether Davis' injury may linger or if his minutes will be restricted as he deals with this back issue.
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