Dwight Howard's return to the Los Angeles Lakers surprised a lot of people, especially after everything that happened during the 2012-13 season. The Lakers had what many thought was championship-contending team, but a lot of factors caused them to underachieve.
Steve Nash, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, was a part of that squad, and he explained why things didn't work out for the Lakers when they built a superteam that season:
“I don't think it was a great fit. It was a great idea, it was a great opportunity. I think everyone thought this [winning a championship] will happen. But then, when it started [regular season] happening — a lot of factors: one, I broke my knee in the first or second game, whenever it was. I was never the same, I'm still not the same. Pau [Gasol] I think was going through a stretch where he's exhausted from playing for Spain all throughout the summers. Dwight came off the back surgery. I don't think Metta [World Peace] was quite the same. Although he could still hurt people and still had his moments, he wasn't quite as dynamic as he was. And I don't think we fit great …
“… You add it all up, I don't think that it would have ever worked. It was doomed.”
The 2012 Lakers were a great idea, but not a great fit. @SteveNash explains to @BillSimmons on the #BSPodcast. pic.twitter.com/SeDOIpUxqc
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 5, 2019
The Lakers had all sorts of problems that season, from injuries to inconsistent play. But they still managed to make it to the playoffs, thanks in large part to the stellar performance of Kobe Bryant. However, it did come at a steep price, as he tore his Achilles in one of the team's final regular-season games.
Nash acknowledged the efforts of The Black Mamba, but he's still not convinced that everything would have turned out the way they wanted even if Kobe didn't tear his Achilles:
“He was playing great, at a super high level. But just the pieces, you know. It was a lot of old dogs, new tricks. And you know, we already talked about how temperamental chemistry is on a basketball team in particular of all the sports in a sense. You know, that balance.
“You know, looking back at it now, I'm not sure it if would've ever worked.”
The 2012-13 Lakers team looked really intimidating on paper, but they will always be remembered as nothing but a disappointing experiment.
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