After all the hand-wringing, flip-flopping and soul searching that Howard forced us to endure, it's comforting to know that love was the root of all his troubles.
Via Yahoo! Sports, Howard recently revealed that amore was really the fuel behind his roller-coaster offseason of emotions. Love is certainly something that fans of the Los Angeles Lakers can identify with, especially when it comes to the love of greatness.
By any measure sans championships, the Lakers are the greatest franchise in NBA history, and their one-title deficit to the Boston Celtics pales when you consider consistency. Most of the Celtics' championships were won during a period that few people who are living now can recall. But the Lakers' championship legacy has evolved, endured and still resonates in the present.
The Lakers franchise has competed in more than half of every NBA Finals series, and they only have failed to reach the postseason five times.
Five times—and one of those has just happened to come during the reign of Kobe Bryant, one of the best players to ever grace an NBA court.
Bryant once famously tried to force his way out of Los Angeles, but general manager Mitch Kupchak refused to bow to Bryant's demands, and the Lakers faithful eventually forgave him for it.
But that's only because Bryant's track record was proven.
It's easy to forgive Bryant's insolence when you consider the role he played in the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-02, and that sentiment is backed up by Bryant's three Finals appearances and two rings since that time.
Bryant may be hated by legions of NBA fans, but he always will be loved by those who bleed purple and gold, because he's earned it. Sure, he flirted with trading the most recognizable team brand in professional basketball for Michael Jordan's NBA alma mater, but reas...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
