The media has been hyping up the Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard showdown and last night they got what they wanted. There were numerous reports that the two star players did not like each other and during their season opener it definitely showed.
Howard secured a defensive rebound and Kobe stayed on him. Dwight swung his elbows around a couple times while he held the ball in the air and one caught Kobe in the face. The two were separated by referees. Kobe then told Dwight “try me” and called him “soft”.
Dwight received a flagrant foul, Kobe a personal foul and both players got a hit with a technical foul.
“Trash-talking is part of the game,” Bryant said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t know when the NBA became so sensitive. … He’s a teddy bear. You can’t help but like him. But when you’re competing, you have a goal in mind.”
“What do you want me to say? I’m not going to give you nothing,” Howard said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “That’s stupid. We won the game. It’s over with.”
