Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard believes his first stint in Hollywood was ruined by an excess of egos.

Howard told Lakers teammate Jared Dudley he felt he and Kobe Bryant were at different stages of their career during that 2012-13 season, and thus had trouble communicating.

The Lakers believed they had formed a “Big 3” of their own in the summer of 2013.

Los Angeles acquired Howard from the Orlando Magic and also orchestrated a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns to land star point guard Steve Nash.

Howard and Nash were supposed to join Bryant in forming an incomparable trio in the Western Conference. But the three All-Stars struggled to mesh together, with Bryant and Howard especially at odds.

The Lakers limped to 45 wins, and they were swept in the first round after Bryant suffered a torn Achilles at the end of the regular season.

Strangely enough, Kobe actually had one of his finer individual seasons that year, and Howard averaged over 17 points and 12 rebounds to go along with 2.4 blocks. But Nash and Pau Gasol dealt with injuries, and the team lacked depth and chemistry.

Of course, Howard was still at the peak of his powers at that time as arguably the best center in the league—but he had also had issues at the end of his final year with the Magic and never seemed to fit in with L.A.'s veteran presence of Kobe, Nash and Gasol.

Things have been quite a bit different this time around.

Howard has been a key role player for the Lakers this season, averaging 14.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes. He is no longer the immature guy desiring all the shine, but rather a grizzled veteran himself, one willing to do whatever it takes to win that elusive championship.