As has been the case ever since he left the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2013, Dwight Howard was booed vociferously every time he touched the ball on Sunday night. Now a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Howard initially left the Lakers for the Houston Rockets, though regardless of his team, the hatred from Lakers fans remain the same.
The most recent example came on Sunday night when Howard and the Hawks visited Los Angeles. The Lakers came out with the 109-94 win, sweeping the season series and Howard was harassed and heckled throughout the game.
In speaking to reporters after the game, Howard said he ‘closed his ears,’ but that wasn’t the case for at least one incident right after the game. TMZ Sports obtained video of Howard challenging a fan to a fight as he was leaving the court. Howard had to be physically restrained.
In the video, a fan can be heard calling Howard a ‘female dog’ (and not in those words), and Howard responded by telling the fan to ‘come down here and say that.’
There has always been a question of what fans should be allowed to do and say at games. Some fans certainly cross the line with some of their insults, but many argue that fans can say whatever they want since they paid for the ticket.
Regardless of whether or not the fan crossed the line, he clearly got to Howard and annoyed the former All-Star, and Howard obviously didn’t have his ears closed the entire time.