LOS ANGELES – After bouncing around the NBA and seemingly nearing the end of a potential Hall of Fame career, Dwight Howard has been reborn with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite an ugly divorce with the purple and gold back in 2013, Howard has been embraced by fans and teammates alike in Los Angeles while also winning over Kobe Bryant before his tragic passing last month.

Along with doing what was thought impossible in Los Angeles by becoming a fan favorite in his second stint with the Lakers, Dwight has decided to relive one of the best moments of his NBA career as a Slam Dunk Contest participant at this year's All-Star Game in Chicago.

“All year long, I just wanted to show him that I was going to do whatever it takes to help this team win,” Howard said. “Been wearing his shoes since the season started. I wanted him in the Dunk Contest and all these things.”

Not only did Howard officially become a participant this year, but he also convinced the late Lakers legend to help him out during the contest, something he told the media after Tuesday's win against the San Antonio Spurs.

“He was going to do something for me in the Dunk Contest,” the Lakers center said of Kobe. “It's just kind of heartbreaking. It's been on my mind every day. I can't believe it. I'm still in shock. It hurts. It's tough.

“I just never thought that somebody like that would be gone, and it's something that I just tell people if you have any bitterness, anger, or strife toward anybody, let it go. Let them know how you feel. Get those feelings out. Let them know because you never know what can happen. Life comes and goes just like that [snaps fingers], and for me, it's just super sad because I really wanted to tell him how much I appreciate everything he's done.

“All the things he's said, even at the time we weren't on the same team. We didn't understand each other, but I saw a different Kobe, and I even saw a change in myself, and I'm pretty sure he saw it, so I just wanted to be able to tell him how I felt about him, and I never got a chance to. That was really the most heartbreaking part. Every day it has just been on my mind. It's something we just have to deal with and show the fans and the city we are going to do whatever it takes.”

Clearly, Howard has been playing with a heavy heart, especially with the fact he was set for a touching moment with the Lakers icon in Chicago. That moment would've been a healing moment for their relationship and something that would've given Dwight some peace, but it wasn't meant to be.

Now Dwight can only honor his former teammate on the floor as he tries to help this Lakers team win a title alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Also, adding another Slam Dunk title wouldn't be a bad idea either.