Dwight Howard Thanks Kobe Bryant for Calling Him Soft During Stint With Lakers

Dwight Howard has had one of the most curious NBA careers of anyone in the league. After taking the league by storm out of high school and going on to make eight consecutive All-Star appearances from 2006-2014.

His career began to take downward dip when he joined the Lakers in 2012-13. Despite pacing the pro circuit in rebounds and making the All-Star team, Howard and the rest of the Lakers failed to live up to expectations. There was certainly some turmoil existing within the locker room, and Howard recently commented on his past in LA, specifically a moment involving Kobe Bryant.

"I think at the time I was ignorant to the level that he was at. So I appreciate you, Kobe. Thank you for saying I was soft," said Howard.

Bryant seems to have ushered Howard into the same category as Charmin toilet paper, and while they may have butted heads at the time, Howard has since come to realize that Bryant was simply trying to motivate him to play tougher.

After all, Howard is a physical specimen and looked set to dominate the boards for years to come. Unfortunately things didn't pan out for the big man, who has since played for four different organizations, and is looking for his fifth.

As a Laker, Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as the organization's super team crumbled in the Western Conference Finals.

While him and Bryant didn't always see eye-to-eye, Howard has matured since his days in Hollywood and took the time to thank the Black Mamba for his harsh, yet fair, comments.