For what seems like the umpteenth time this season, Hollywood's finest appear to be on the path to revival. But for what is the first time all year, their self-inflicted change appears ready to stick, courtesy of Kobe Bryant.
Among Los Angeles' greatest pitfalls was the deteriorating or rather, non-existent relationship between Bryant and Dwight Howard. Save for a defensive breakdown that left Howard screaming at the Black Mamba, the two appeared indifferent toward one another's presence.
Kobe was letting Dwight do his thing, and vice versa. That is, until the Lakers fell at the hands of the Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls.
Afterward, Howard publicly conveyed (via Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register) his distaste for what was taking place in Lakerland:
Howard was unhappy after getting just five field-goal attempts in the loss, rarely getting the ball early in the game.
"Look at the stat sheet," Howard said. "Look at the stat sheet."
Asked how he can get more shots, Howard said: "It's simple. Play inside-out."
Howard's sentiments came on a night when he received fewer shots than both Metta World Peace and Earl Clark, and immediately following a 7-of-22 showing from Bryant himself. Thus, the message was clear: Kobe had the ball and Dwight wanted it.
On the heels of such displeasure, Bryant and Howard appeared to be at a crossroads and the Lakers' immediate future was in jeopardy. Yet that was only the beginning.
Per Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers held a team meeting to help clear the air, one that culminated in an unsettling confrontation between Bryant and Howard:
They held a clear-the-air team meeting before Wednesday morning's shoot-around, with Kobe Bryant very directly asking Dwight Howard if he disliked playing with the long-time Lakers s...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
