To steal a line from Blink 182’s “Dammit”: Well I guess this is growing up.
Dwight Howard’s ego is no longer calling the shots, assuming it ever was. He is ready to hand the Houston Rockets over to James Harden, a gesture he was unwilling to make for Kobe Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sans the Lakers context, Howard said as much during a conversation with SI.com’s Ben Golliver:
To be honest, it has been a little tough,” Howard told SI.com during a phone interview from Houston on Thursday. “I sat back and analyzed everything, and [Hall of Fame Rockets center] Elvin Hayes called me one day. He said, ‘For this team to win, you really have to make that ultimate sacrifice.’ I didn’t quite get it at first, but I think I really understand it now better than before.
“It’s not like I haven’t done it in the past, but this year is a little different. That sacrifice for me is going to come on the offensive end. It’s the thing I saw Wilt [Chamberlain] do when he got his championship with the Lakers [in 1972]. Wilt was known for scoring a lot of points, and when he played for that team that won the championship, he got other people open shots, did whatever he could to make everybody better. He got that trophy. By the time we get to the playoffs and the next couple of years, hopefully we’ll get to the point where we’ll be able to win a couple championships.” …
“To me, James has been the MVP, considering the fact that I’ve missed the whole season basically and we’re third in the West,” Howard said. “I told James that the MVP is his for the taking. I want him to go out there and dominate and play hard every night, lead this team. I told him to destroy every opponent that’s in front of him. I will do whatever I have to do to: score, rebound, whatever. I don’t want him to change up anything. That was my message to him.”
Look, this isn’t some big surprise. Howard is often painted as an egotistical jokester who cares more about his status inside and outside the team than actually winning. Four or fives years ago, no one really thought that. It’s amazing what his stretch of indecision with the Orlando Magic did to his reputation.
Of course, it doesn’t help if the past rumors of him demanding the Lakers amnesty Kobe are true. Leaving because the Black Mamba is totally ruthless and borderline impossible to play with is one thing; trying to displace him from his throne before either he or the Lakers are ready would be equally ruthless and, frankly, beyond stupid. But again, that’s assuming everything we’ve heard is true.
None of that matters in Houston, a place Howard chose. Harden was already there. He is younger. He is better. Howard is getting older, approaching 30. He’s missed more games this season (38) than his previous 10 combined (36). And while he missed those games, he watched Harden carry his Rockets into the championship conversation. The team is still in play for a top-two playoff seed, and the bearded is wonder is firmly fixed to the MVP conversation, a favorite in many respects.
All of which contributes to Howard gaining perspective, to maturing. If he was even half the guy people believe he was in Los Angeles, he needed to change. But irrespective of who he used to be, however genuine or misguided or insufferable or unfairly judged, he’s changing now by taking a step back and ceding control of the Rockets to Harden—a process that basically began the moment he signed in Houston, knowing Harden was already there, and one that’s nearing completion at just the right time, as the season winds down and this team prepares to see if it belongs among the West’s various other juggernauts.
