VIDEO: Dwight Howard Thanks Los Angeles for Giving Him 2nd Chance Ahead of Lakers Return
By Kevin Aquino
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (yes, this is indeed 2019, not 2012) had a message to the Lakers organization and its fans with the NBA regular season just over six weeks away. After signing on for his second stint in Hollywood, Howard reached out to the organization and its fan base, claiming he plans to give 110% effort in the 2019 season.
"I'm looking forward to giving 110%." @DwightHoward /// #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/9s7aud247Q
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 4, 2019
Howard, usually a humorist, took a rather serious tone with this video, which should convince Lakers' fans that he's matured since his previous stint with the team.
Wanting to showcase his post-up skills rather than be a roll man -- for Steve Nash for crying out loud -- Howard never clicked in LA and only spent a year there before departing for Houston.
He's back in Hollywood and looking for another chance to earn the respect and admiration of not only his new city but his teammates as well. And he won't let the playful chirping from Shaq and Kobe distract him from the team's ultimate goal.
Dwight Howard: "My job is to come here and help this team win, it’s not to get into any arguments with Shaq or Kobe or anybody. I don’t plan to let anything distract me from helping this team win a championship." #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) September 4, 2019
The three-peat Defensive Player of the Year claims he hit "rock bottom" and may be clinging to his last chance in the league with a non-guaranteed deal. The Lakers have a good chunk of the season to monitor Dwight's behavior and locker room presence, and can cut ties with him before his contract becomes fully guaranteed in January.
Don't worry, Lakers fans, we're just as nervous as you are to see Dwight back in the purple and gold. But at least the first two months of his contract are essentially a tryout.