Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is upbeat about Dwight Howard's second stint with the Purple and Gold. Bryant predicts that his former teammate will make a “hell of an impact” on LA this time around.
To recall, Howard and Bryant donned the Purple and Gold jersey in the 2012-13 season. The team-up didn't exactly meet expectations, as Kobe and Dwight's opposite personalities were a recipe for disaster.
Now, from an observer's point of view, Bryant sees something different in Howard.
“I’m happy for him because sometimes we don’t realize how much we love the game and miss the game until that window starts closing or its closed,” Bryant said, per Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times. “Then you’re like, ‘Oh damn, I really miss playing the game. I want another opportunity to show what I can do.’ Sometimes you don’t know if that opportunity will ever come again. For him, I really believe he’s appreciative of the opportunity and I think he’s going to make a hell of an impact because of the new appreciation he has for playing the game.”
In his first three games, Howard is putting up 7.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 20.3 minutes. He's still a monster on the court and a hefty presence of the defensive end. It's certainly a thrill for Lakers fans — the same supporters who were disappointed in his first arrival with them.
Bryant, too, is pleased with what he's seeing. He may be retired, but he's a Laker for life. And he wants this group led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis to hang up another banner to the rafters.
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