Somebody pinch Dwight Howard, because he must be dreaming.
Following the San Antonio Spurs’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Superman called his first, and potentially only, season in Hollywood a “nightmare” (via Brett Pollakoff of NBC Sports’ ProBasketballTalk):
“It was like a nightmare,” Howard said. “It was like a bad dream, and we couldn’t wake up out of it. That’s what it felt like. It seemed like nothing could go right from the start — injuries and all that stuff. But we’ll get an opportunity to get some rest for guys who are injured or coming off of injuries, get a chance to rehab, and think about what we can all do to better ourselves.”
Injuries and a lack of chemistry prevented the Lakers from finishing atop or near the top of the Western Conference as was originally predicted. They had to scrape and claw their way to a playoff berth, and when they finally did, they got pummeled by a deeper Spurs team. So you can’t blame Howard for speaking the truth.
Within that horrifying truth, though, are traces of optimism. Not in Howard’s words, but in his disappointment. To call a team that won 45 games during the regular season a “nightmare,” seems absurd. Finishing eight games over .500 would have allowed the Lakers to contend for a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference. And here Howard is talking about it like it’s despicable.
In so many ways, that’s awesome. And it’s something Howard should remember. That the Lakers were considered a complete and utter failure after navigating a sea of injuries, winning 45 games and clinching a playoff berth attests to the franchise’s commitment to winning.
What did the Lakers do after they were eliminated in Round 2 of the postseason last year? They traded for two perennial All-Stars in Howard and Steve Nash to pair alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The blueprint didn’t pan out, or even come close to panning out, but that’s what these Lakers do. They strive for perfection and dominance, and will do whatever it takes to actualize that vision.
So when Howard is contemplating where he’ll sign this summer, he should remember Los Angeles’ failures and how agonizing a season this was. And then he should remember that for most organizations, what happened—especially under the circumstances—would have been acceptable. But not for the Lakers. They expected more; they wanted more. And through whatever means necessary, they’re going to put themselves in a position to get more.
Tell me, where else will Howard find that in free agency? Only a handful teams are able to spend the way the Lakers can and even fewer are just as resourceful. And those teams—the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, among others—are all unable to sign him. The Lakers can. And if all goes according to plan, they will. Howard will come to his senses and commit himself to a faction that has dedicated itself to not just winning, but hoisting championship banners.
This season was a nightmare. I have no arguments there (his Game 4 ejection included). Buried not-so-deep within that nightmare is Howard’s dream—winning a championship. Hopefully he’ll see that, or else he’ll run the risk of making a big mistake and signing elsewhere, like with the Dallas Mavericks. Or Atlanta Hawks. Or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Everything he’s always wanted can still be had in Los Angeles. Howard just needs to wake up from his nightmare so that he can start living his dream.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
