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Dwight Howard was once a perennial All-Star in the NBA. Obviously, the keyword this is “once,” because, in the past five seasons, the former No. 1 overall pick has been a shell of himself, battling injuries and playing like absolute crap. Seeing how he’s played the past few years, it’s actually hard to believe that D12 was once one of the most dominant big men in the league.
Considering his fall from grace, it’s not surprising to see Dwight Howard have pretty limited options when it comes to the teams that actually want to sign him. After bouncing around from team-to-team the past few years, Howard’s sort of been labeled as a locker room cancer, and a guy who brings more drama than anyone would hope for.
Well, in that case, the Los Angeles Lakers seem like a perfect fit, because, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the iconic franchise is reportedly taking another chance on the former All-Star center, with Howard soon-to-be bought out by his current team, the Memphis Grizzlies, and then sign with the Lakers.
Dwight Howard is finalizing contract buyout with Memphis and plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers as free agent, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 23, 2019
This is hilarious AF to most basketball fans, for obvious reasons. Not only are the Lakers coming off a year that was dysfunctional as hell — and, seemingly, moved on from all the drama with Magic Johnson resigning and trading for Anthony Davis — but, obviously, Dwight Howard already has a history with the franchise; and it didn’t end too well. Anyone else remember those “Howard sucks!” chants during his return to Staples Center as a member of the Houston Rockets?
Naturally, given the news that Dwight Howard is reportedly returning to the Lakers to help fill the big man void left by DeMarcus Cousins’ latest injury, Twitter had some reactions — and people found lots of humor in the fact that the Lakers would stoop this low, deciding to sign a guy based off of his name more than his talent. Take a look at what some were saying.
https://twitter.com/AlexCaruSoGood/status/1165009892257624064?s=20
https://twitter.com/DocMcCockiner/status/1165009219441111040?s=20
https://twitter.com/MyTweetsLit/status/1165009168027344896?s=20
https://twitter.com/MANOMAGlC/status/1165009267830640640?s=20
— mamba (@thefatmamba11) August 23, 2019
— Seagull (@SeagullSeagull0) August 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/dak0mish/status/1165009655074119686?s=20
The Lakers might as well just sign Carmelo Anthony too at this point.#NBA @DwightHoward pic.twitter.com/YMxg35QLTl
— Spence K (@SpencerKeele) August 23, 2019
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) August 23, 2019
Will Dwight Howard’s second stint with the Lakers prove to be better than his first? Considering the big fella had problems with Kobe Bryant about intensity and practice habits, it’ll be interesting to see if he has similar issues with LeBron James, who, like Bryant, tends to work his ass off in order to be the best baller on the planet. No pressure or anything, Dwight.