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The veteran center Dwight Howard, who currently represents the Taoyuan Leopards, has shared the court with some of the greatest NBA players, such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Howard discussed what it was like playing with the two Lakers legends in a recent interview.
James was praised by Howard as a jovial and friendly teammate who enjoys having fun and having a good time. Howard won his first and only championship in 2020 alongside James and the Lakers. Given their shared Southern roots and similar personalities, he claimed that James was to him like a twin. James' ability to dominate on the court while still having fun was also praised by Howard.
Howard, however, claimed that Bryant was a more somber and intense leader who did not put up with any diversion or nonsense from anyone. He claimed that while his teammates were in the locker room, Bryant would frequently pay more attention to himself and his preparation. Bryant, he claimed, was not "bullshitting" with anyone and expected everyone to put in just as much effort and dedication.
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While they were teammates for the first time in 2012–2013 with the Lakers, Howard acknowledged that he did not get along well with Bryant. Despite what many people had anticipated, their relationship did not blossom as quickly. Howard's laid-back personality and need for humor frequently stood in contrast to the rigid culture of the legendary Lakers player Kobe Bryant, who was renowned for his unmatched work ethic and desire for excellence. Reports of arguments both on and off the court added credence to the idea that there was tension on the team.
Howard, however, claimed that after some time, he was able to appreciate Bryant's passion and competitiveness and to understand where he was coming from. He declared that he respected Bryant as one of the greatest players of all time and that he had learned a lot from him. Later, he added that Bryant's tragic death in 2020 had shocked and saddened him.
Fans were giddy with expectation when Dwight joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2012—a team that also had Kobe. He appeared to be the missing piece they needed to advance and win a championship. However, Dwight's laid-back personality and Bryant's work ethic didn't always get along, and the club only managed to win 45 games that year. As the seventh seed, they were able to make it to the playoffs, but the Spurs swept them in the opening round.
