Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard has definitely given the Purple and Gold a major boost in his second stint in Hollywood. According to Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss, the reunion with the 34-year-old big man wouldn't have happened had not for some wise words she learned from former Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

“Really, you don’t give up on anybody. Phil Jackson taught me that,” Buss said Friday on the “Daddy Issues with Joe Buck and Oliver Hudson” podcast.

“Because you know Phil, before he coached the Bulls, he coached in the CBA, he coached in Puerto Rico, and he said every player will develop at his own rate. You can’t force somebody to develop faster than anybody else. Some players are ready to play in the NBA at 18, he said some guys aren’t ready until they’re 26 or 27. You can’t paint them as just ‘okay, this guy is this, so therefore give up on them.”’

Jeanie Buss added that her ex-fiancee also took the same approach to some of his other former Lakers players during their back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. She mentioned the likes of Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown, who both became productive players under Jackson's tutelage.

The Lakers, meanwhile, certainly took a huge gamble when they signed Dwight Howard to a one-year deal at the beginning of the season. It's evident that he was already way past his prime, while back injuries have robbed him of his once fearsome Superman form.

Plus, Howard's first tenure in LA didn't exactly end in amicable terms. The injury to DeMarcus Cousins forced their hand, and Howard ultimately paid their trust.

The 8-time All-Star looked rejuvenized and accepted the role as the second unit's defensive anchor. Howard also managed to stay healthy, appearing in 62 games with averages of 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 19.2 minutes.