The Dwightmare is finally over as he’s taken his talents to Houston, but details are starting to spill out about the meeting that took place between Howard and the Lakers.
Reports surfaced about Kobe Bryant preaching winning in his pitch to Howard and challenging him to win a championship while he, Mike D’Antoni, Bryant and Mitch Kupchak had an airing of the grievances after last season’s debacle.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLA.com, Howard seemed to have made up his mind prior to their meeting on Tuesday:
Lakers source in the meeting with Howard said he seemed to have made up his mind then. Was “emotionless” and wouldnt look them in eye
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 5, 2013
Howard was mum after the meeting as he just said all five meetings went well, and he’s been in Colorado deliberating for the past few days.
It sounds like Howard wasn’t going to play for D’Antoni’s system and didn’t want to play second fiddle to Bryant as the Rockets are fielding trade offers for backup center Omer Asik.
After just one season, Howard will be remembered more for his smiles and missed free throws as it doesn’t sound like he gave the Lakers any consideration after last season’s debacle.
