Along with the team seemingly back to form as a legitimate playoff contender in the Western conference, Dwight Howard appears to be coming into his own while playing at an elite level once again.
Howard’s return to Orlando has been talked about ever since the superstar center was traded to the Lakers back in August. The backlash from the Magic fans was thought to be brutal in Orlando with no love lost between the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and the crowd he played in front of for eight years.
Even though Dwight faced plenty of nasty signs and billboards mocking him along with plenty of boos throughout the night, the future face of the Lakers franchise finally had the breakout performance the team had been looking for with Howard going off for 39 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
With Howard apparently back to form playing at an extremely high level, the Lakers are back on track in terms of competing for a playoff spot in the West. Los Angeles currently sits in eighth place in the conference and may very well punch their ticket to the postseason in the coming weeks.
Dwight’s long-term future in Los Angeles still remains uncertain at this point in time, but all signs seem to be pointing towards a bright future for this team with chemistry coming around and Howard playing up to his potential.
Lakers Nation News
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Lakers News: Dwight Breaks Shaq’s Free Throw Attempts Record
Lakers Silence Magic, Win 4th Straight In Dwight Howard’s Return
Shootaround Report: Dwight’s Orlando Return And Future Friendship
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VIDEO: Steve Nash Says Lakers Won’t Show Down, But Need Pau Back
Dwight Howard Discusses Lakers’ Early Expectations Versus Reality
Lakers News
Hacks And Answered: Lakers’ Dwight Howard Buries Magic At Line [LA Times]
Dwight Howard Makes His Presence Known In Orlando With The Lakers [LA Times]
Dwight Howard Needs Kobe Bryant To Keep Pushing Him [LA Times]
Howard, Lakers Thrive In Hostile Environment [OC Register]
Howard Faces Fears In Hostile Orlando Arena [OC Register]
The Playbook: Dwight Dominated Orlando Defensively [Silver Screen & Roll]
Better Late Than Never For Dwight And The Lakers [Silver Screen & Roll]
LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson Are On Better Teams [LA Daily News]
Dwight Howard’s Return To Orlando: Magic Fans Count Down, Channel Cee-Lo [LA Daily News]
NBA News
Melo Returns To Denver [SB Nation]
Now You Can Wear DeAndre Jordan’s Dunk Face [SB Nation]
Kevin Love’s Hand Needs Another 2-3 Weeks to Recover [Pro Basketball Talk]
Carmelo Anthony Admits He May Need To Get Knee Drained [Pro Basketball Talk]
VIDEO: Ricky Rubio Double Behind-The-Back Drive To The Hoop [Sports City]
VIDEO: Nets’ Brook Lopez Posterizes Brother, Robin [Sports City]