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Dwight Howard Says He Had to Go Through ‘Hell’ During Trade Saga With Magic, Nets, Lakers

Dwight Howard now admits that the trade mess he put the NBA and its fans through in the last few years was like going through hell.

But he still appears to be missing the point: It was hell for everyone else, Dwight, and no one really cares if it bothered you.

Howard, who has been busy expressing how happy he is to be with the Lakers after spending a couple of years trying to navigate an escape from the Orlando Magic, commented on the trade situation again this week.

"I had to go through last year to get to where I'm at today," he said, referencing a time when he was part of trade talks with the Nets and Lakers as the Magic tried to unload his contract at his request. "It's made me stronger and a better person for it. I had to go through the hell and the stormy forecast to come out to a place like this … and I'm thankful for it."

Howard said that the problems he experienced came from trying to please other people. He originally agreed to stay with Orlando but then asked to be traded again, often changing his demands throughout the process.

It may have been a difficult time for Howard, but most people who had to experience at least a little of the waffling would love to remind Howard that he got himself into the situation in the first place by asking for a trade.