Reconsidering Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard's 2012-13 season wasn't much different
than his previous eight seasons in Orlando.
Courtesy of zimbio.com

I was all set to write about the reasons why Dwight Howard shouldn't remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's too slow to play in Mike D'Antoni's system. He should go somewhere where he can be the man at both ends of the floor. The Lakers are getting too old to contend.

Then I started looking at his statistics from his one season in L.A. and comparing them to his career numbers in Orlando, where he was considered to be the centerpiece to the organization. That's when I realized that he's a better fit than I thought.

In his best years with the Magic, Howard averaged nearly 21 points and 14 rebounds. When a bad back cost Howard the latter portion of the 2011-12 season, he still averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 boards per game. He was never a truly elite scorer like Bryant or LeBron James, but he got the job done.

Now, look at what he did on a team where some thought he wasn't a good fit -- especially after D'Antoni took over for Mike Brown as head coach. Howard's offensive numbers took a small dip with the Lakers, as he averaged 17.1 points per game. That will happen when you're paired with Bryant. But Howard was still a viable contributor at the other end of the floor, as he averaged 9.1 defensive rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game.

Is Howard a perfect fit with the Lakers? No, but he is someone the Lakers will need going forward if they want to contend for multiple NBA titles. As much as D'Antoni likes to push the tempo and have his players take quick shots, he also needs someone to clean up the missed shots and defend the low post. Those are roles Howard plays better than anyone other Laker forward -- better than Pau Gasol, better than Metta World Peace and better than Antwan Jamison.

The bigger question is, are the Lakers a team Howard can win an NBA title with? Bryant, Gasol and Steve Nash aren't getting any younger, and D'Antoni has never coached a team to the championship. If Howard has any doubts about L.A.'s ability to give him what he truly wants, he should jump ship now and join a team like Houston or Golden State -- one that has talented younger players and needs one more to put itself over the top.

Frankly, I think Howard gives the Lakers someone who -- with Bryant -- they can build a championship-caliber team. We just have to see if Howard feels that he can win a championship with them.