Howard needed to be restrained from Kobe

[jsthornton7]

http://www.nydailynews.com/brooklyn-...icle-1.1234685

I took out the trade speculation since it's BS.

Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant just can’t get along.

A league source told the Daily News that the Lakers stars got into a heated exchange following a New Year’s Day loss to the 76ers, and Bryant went for a low blow – referencing and agreeing with Shaquille O’Neal’s criticisms of Howard being soft.

Howard was restrained from going at his teammate, according to the source, and there have been rumblings from the center’s camp that he’s been unhappy with Bryant since earlier in the season.

Three days after the altercation, following a disheartening loss to the Clippers, Howard complained about the lack of chemistry on the Lakers. It was a comment seemingly directed at Bryant, who is averaging a league-high 22 shots despite playing with three potential Hall of Famers.

The Mike D’Antoni-coached Lakers fell to 15-18 after losing at home to the Denver Nuggets, 112-105, Sunday night despite Howard’s 26 rebounds. Bryant led L.A. with 29 points but took 26 shots.

“Look at the difference between our team and (the Clippers),” Howard said. “They just play together. They share the ball. Everybody’s excited when something happens.”

Howard again hinted at the disconnect on Saturday. There were always concerns over whether Bryant, a no-nonsense veteran, and Howard, a playful man-child, could co-exist.

“(Chemistry) is something we have to do to get better,” Howard told reporters in L.A. “We have to play like we like each other. Even if we don’t want to be friends off the court, whatever that may be, when we step in between the lines or we step in the locker room or the gym, we have to respect each other and what we bring to the table.”

Prior to the trade that sent Howard to Los Angeles, Bryant reportedly told Howard he’d be the third offensive option if traded to the Lakers. Following the New Year’s Day loss to the 76ers, Bryant was ticked off at Howard and ticked off in front of the media.

“Cause we’re old as s---,” the 34-year-old told reporters, explaining the Lakers’ struggles. “What do you want? We just got to figure out how to play when we don’t have that energy.”

[Leftcoast_yg]

If Kobe and Dwight can't get along and gets 26 rebounds the next game might be what's best for the team lol. Disapointing loss but chemistry is building on the court offensively. Wish Pau would react the way Dwight does.

[jsthornton7]

If Kobe and Dwight can't get along and gets 26 rebounds the next game might be what's best for the team lol. Disapointing loss but chemistry is building on the court offensively. Wish Pau would react the way Dwight does.

You said it.

Hope this is Kobe just trying to push Dwight to be his absolute best out there.

[cg_la00]

oh god this is a troll article. once i read "brooklyn is waiting to pick up the pieces" i stopped reading what a pathetic writer

[Greedy22]

Lol...if this were true it further proves Shaq and Kobe correct. Howard bounced back nicely tonight. This team needs to get its **** together and fast.

[shep33]

For those wondering, I was told on Thursday that the rumor of a Dwight-Kobe altercation was nothing more than talk.
I also know of two other reporters that were made aware of the rumor last week and also told the story wasn't true when they looked into it.

Rudolph's twitter. Guy is close to Howard's camp

[Citanoxeno]

Funny how people use to complain about Bynum and his effort on defense and rebounding and we have that now with Howard and we are still losing. Bynum also said the same thing that Dwight is saying about chemistry and everybody knocked him. Three games under 500 and can potential 4 with a good rockets team. Let the drama continue. How long will Kobe stick up for his nonexistent buddy in pau who has been a no show for the last three years.

[jsthornton7]

Rudolph's twitter. Guy is close to Howard's camp

Close this then

[shep33]

I think Kobe has to lead a different way. Some people can handle his style and others can't. Howard is someone that probably can't.

This is weird though... you see the reactions on the bench when Kobe scores, and everyone is jumping around and excited. I don't think the team is divided at all

[jsthornton7]

I think Kobe has to lead a different way. Some people can handle his style and others can't. Howard is someone that probably can't.

This is weird though... you see the reactions on the bench when Kobe scores, and everyone is jumping around and excited. I don't think the team is divided at all

I think they are just jaded from losing and having such high expectations. Once they start winning everything will change.

We still need to trade Pau though unfortunately.

If the report I posted is false, then please close this

[shep33]

Close this then

Do you want me to close this? It's still a legit topic just because someone denied it doesn't mean it's not true. I personally think it's bogus, but others will have their opinions.

Up to you JS, if you want me to close it, I'll do it since your the OP

[Chavacano]

If Kobe and Dwight can't get along and gets 26 rebounds the next game might be what's best for the team lol. Encouraging loss but chemistry is building on the court offensively. Wish Pau would react the way Dwight does.

^^ Fixed.

[shep33]

I think they are just jaded from losing and having such high expectations. Once they start winning everything will change.

We still need to trade Pau though unfortunately.

If the report I posted is false, then please close this

I think your dead on. Once... if they start winning, everything will come back to normal.

[Citanoxeno]

The team is just not well put together. Pau needs to go for pieces. We need a stretch 4 and a 2 or 3 guard. Morris plays defense but lacks in scoring and Artest can not play the four for to long. Kobe needs to distribute more. He takes to many shots.

[shep33]

I think Dwight truly is a system player and we've missed the ball with putting together a correct roster around him.

His success comes from having shooters all around him. Everything is so congested with the Lakers offense when it comes to giving him the ball in P and R situations.

We can't just give him the ball on the block 20 times, that won't get us anywhere due to his turnovers and lack of post moves.

Need a stretch 4 to open everything up for him.