Kobe Bryant’s ruptured Achilles’ tendon, which will keep him out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup for six to nine months, has added more intrigue to impending free agency for teammate Dwight Howard.
It has been clear since Howard began playing for the Lakers this season that he and Bryant aren’t best of friends or teammates.
But a post All-Star break detente, the improvement of the team and its playoff chances, plus the fact the Lakers can offer Howard more money than any other team in free agency, have led some NBA general managers to believe that the 6-11 center would remain in Los Angeles next season in quest of his first championship
The Rockets, Dallas and Atlanta were expected to be among the most aggressive in pursuing him.
With Bryant’s injury, they could be back in the game.
Soon after the injury Friday night, Bryant began a “woe is me” Facebook rant that continued with a “Whoa, what am I saying?” before ending with a “woe to anyone who thinks I won’t be better than ever.” I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point.
His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, performed a similar surgery on New England quarterback Tom Brady after the opening game of the 2008 season. Brady missed the remainder of the season but was working out three months after the procedure.
ElAttrache told the Los Angeles Times he believes Bryant could also recuperate faster than others because of his will.
But no one knows that for sure.
Howard, who has averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds, responded in the first game without Bryant on Sunday night with 26 points and 17 rebounds in a victory in Los Angeles over San Antonio. He has said the right things about taking on more of a leadership role, even visiting Bryant in the hospital.
If Bryant doesn’t return in top form, or even if he does but it’s not until a few months into next season, does Howard want to take the risk that he’s with a team that again will not contend for the championship? The Lakers haven’t done that well this season, even with Bryant having an outstanding year
Or would Howard looking forward to taking over Bryant’s role as the alpha player.
The former seems to more suit Howard’s personality. It seems from his past that he would prefer to be recognized as a superstar, in his case, Superman, without having to carry a team. In that case, Houston would be the best fit for him because he be a dominant player on a team that also has James Harden and Jeremy Lin. They could run the offense, through him when they’re not literally running, and he could become the defensive stopper.
Some have argued that the Rockets don’t need Howard because of the improved play of Omer Asik. There is some merit to that. Asik indeed has been better than anyone expected, but he will never be the offensive threat in the low post that Howard has been throughout his career.
The addition of Howard would turn the Rockets into one of the Western Conference favorites, especially with San Antonio aging, and back into a championship contender within two seasons.
