Over his last five games, Howard has averaged 21.8 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks over his last five games, compared to 16.4 points, 12.4 boards and 2.4 blocks for the regular season. It's taken him until March, but he appears to have found the necessary balance between his usual low post game and ever-developing attack on the pick-and-roll.
Just the same, Howard has not exactly been Mr. Popular in his first season with the Lakers. He has been caught with his foot in his mouth and shown frustration with his role in the offense, and conditioning issues have certainly earned him some dirty looks in the City of Angels.
However, should Bryant's injury force him to miss games, Howard is going to be in an excellent position to make the critics forget all about their issues with him.
Look at it this way: A lot of why Howard has not been his usual explosive self this season, all injuries aside, is because he actually has a solid group of players on the hardwood with him. Instead of an aging Jason Richardson and ineffective Hedo Turkoglu, not to mention a hit-or-miss Jameer Nelson, he has the constantly-dangerous Kobe Bryant to go with a solid 7'0" center in Pau Gasol and the seemingly ageless Steve Nash.
No matter how you look at it, that's a tremendous upgrade.
Now, consider that Bryant may miss some time. In the blink of an eye, the Lakers would lose 27.5 points per game as well as a key playmaker. Someone is going to have to step up and take over on offense in his absence. But who could it be?
Gasol is definitely someone who could,...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
