Ex-NBA player Dwight Howard recently shared new insights about his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers on a recent episode of his podcast, Above The Rim with DH 12.
Howard suggested that LeBron influenced his departure from the team shortly after the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Championship against the Miami Heat.
Tension with LeBron James
Howard admitted that during a game in the 2019-20 season he directed some harsh words at James, which he believes contributed to his departure.
“You can’t say that,” Howard said. “I said it once and was off the team.”
“It happened after we won the championship—I told LeBron to get back on defense. He got mad, and I called him out. So I said, ‘Stop acting like a b—-, man.’”
The exact reason the Lakers chose not to re-sign Howard after the 2019-20 season remains unclear. However, his heated exchange with James may have played a role.
LeBron’s History of Conflict Over Insults
A similar incident took place during the 2016 NBA Finals between LeBron James and Warriors forward Draymond Green.
After a heated exchange, Green allegedly insulted James, which motivated him to elevate his performance.
Later in the series, cameras caught Green appearing to strike James in the groin during a midcourt scuffle. As a result, Green received a one-game suspension.
Howard’s Journey with the Lakers and Beyond
Howard had three separate stints with the Lakers, with his second being the most impactful.
He first joined the team in the 2012-13 season before moving on to other franchises. However, he returned to Los Angeles for the 2019-20 campaign, playing a key role in helping the Lakers secure their 17th NBA championship.
In 2021-22, he reunited with James once again for his third run with the Lakers, but that marked his last season in the NBA. The following year, Howard competed in a professional league in Taiwan.
