The famous smile that Dwight Howard carries even when the Lakers are getting beaten by 20+ was noticeably missing during his All-Star media session. The usual effervescent Howard was instead sad, slumped and visibly annoyed. His answers to the questions asked gave the same attitude. Read more after the jump.
With Lakers at 25-29 and the 10th spot in the Western Conference they’re of course doing much worse than anybody envisioned when the supposed super team was put together. With rumors rumbling of a supposed issue between Howard and Lakers star Kobe Bryant in conjunction with the Lakers subpar play, it’s no doubt that every reporter is asking him his plans once the season is over.
“There’s no need to talk about (free agency),” he had said during the un-fun scrum. “I want to have fun. I want to enjoy myself and not talk about free agency or what I’m going to do at the end of the season.”
And this: “I’ve got to do what makes me happy. That’s it.”
And what makes you happy?
“Having fun on the court,” Howard said. “That makes me happy.”
Are you having fun now?
“Not at the present time, no,” he said. “Hopefully it gets better.”
The Lakers can offer Dwight the largest contract should he decide to re-sign with the team. They can offer him a five-year deal worth $118 million or he could sign with Houston, Dallas, Atlanta or any other team that can only offer him a four-year deal worth approximately $87.8 million.
“I like their team,” he said when asked about the Rockets. “They’re a great team. They’re young. They play hard. They’re scrappy. They play together. Everything they do has been great. It’s fun to watch them.”
Despite all the facts presented no one is sure what Dwight Howard will decide at the end of the season. He could choose LA for the bright lights, high profile and extra money from endorsements while putting up with the criticism and dysfunctional dynamic of he and Kobe Bryant. Or he can decide to go elsewhere, lead the team and have fun while making substantially less money. The choice is his.
