Lakers talk about Dwight Howard’s adversarial season Steve Nash How has Dwight handled the pressure surrounding his injuries, new role and expectations with the team? It’s been big. I don’t think Dwight has been himself. I don’t think he’s the player we’ve become accustomed to seeing. That’s down to recovering from a back injury and shoulder injury. The thing about Dwight is he can still be a tremendous player and terrific defender even if he’s not 100 percent. It’s been a tough year for everybody. I would hate to say one way or the other. He’s out here playing with a sore shoulder. That’s all we can ask. How do you want him to play the pick and roll We really want him to play the same way he played in Orlando. Pick, dive to the basket and find it and be the anchor defensively. We don’t want him to change that much. Why hasn’t that worked consistently? It’s different for all of us. I keep saying this. If we as players who have had a lot of success are longing for the way it was in the past, I think that’s a defeatist mentality. We can’t play five different styles. We can’t play my style, Kobe’s style, Metta’s style, Pau’s style or Dwight’s style. We have to find a way to work together. That’s the key. Everybody has to make this transition and give to the team what they can and not worry about what they’re not getting. How do you think he’s made that transition? The biggest thing is we have to shed the past and be unselfish and give to the group and not worry about your comfort zone. For me, I’ve been off the ball more. Instead of being like I’m uncomfortable, I have to embrace this and be a good player off the ball and try to become a spot up shooter. When I get in my pick and rolls, make plays for my teammates and be a good defender and add in different ways to improve my game. Instead of worrying about I did it this way, that’s where we get in trouble if we hang our heads. Do you find that he’s taking this kind of feedback constructively? I hope so. We have enough guys where we’re trying our best and we have to find that team spirit. MORE
Amazing stuff. Why would Dwight tell everyone how successful the Heat and Bobcats were at inflicting pain on his shoulder? Clueless.
Haha, exactly. I kind of feel like flying to LA, finding Dwight, and giving his arm a little tug just to see what happens.... *Ok, not really....I'm not psychotic. I also like having the use of all of my limbs. But you get my point
