The Lakers greeted Dwight Howard with open arms last August, but the emotional big man never felt those arms close around him.
In a candid radio interview, one of Howard’s former teammates outlined what he saw as some of the problems during the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year’s one and only season in Los Angeles. Steve Nash, speaking on ESPN LA 710 on Tuesday, said he thinks Howard never wanted to be a Laker and that Howard never felt supported by the city or his team.
“Dwight had some issues with the season,” Nash said. “I think it kind of basically goes with what he said to the media, that he never quite felt embraced in L.A. He never quite felt supported. That’s basically it. I think in some ways you can read into that what you will, but I think he never quite felt comfortable, at home, and I don’t know if that’s anybody’s fault.”
Nash was perplexed as to why Howard was so reluctant to run a pick-and-roll offense with him, despite both having success with that style for their previous teams. Nash noted that Houston, Howard’s new team, runs a pick-and-roll offense, too, but said Howard could be more willing to embrace the offense in a more comfortable place.
“Ultimately, I think Dwight wasn’t comfortable here and didn’t want to be here,” Nash said. “I think if he didn’t want to be here, there’s no point for anyone in him being here. So we wish him the best and move on.”
