A source claiming to be close to Los Angeles Lakers free-agent Dwight Howard says the All-Star center has had enough of the team’s fans and finds them to be “the most unappreciative and ungrateful group of people ever.”
According to ESPN, rumors are already rabid that Howard has all but made up his mind to leave L.A. and is focusing on settling in either Houston or Dallas, both of which have expressed interest in having him join their respective franchises.
Since the Lakers were swept out of the first-round of the playoffs by San Antonio, most have speculated that if Howard decided not to return to L.A. his decision would largely be based on his distaste for Coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo system.
Howard has made no secret of his belief that he felt he was misused this season, using his postseason interview with general manager Mitch Kupchak to personally inform him of as much. Even though the Lakers are able offer him $30 million more than any other suitor, Howard seems to rank his role on the team as highly as any other consideration.
D'Antoni's misuse of his talents may not have irked him as much as the fans, though. In Game 4 of the Lakers first-round series against the Spurs, Howard was tossed in the first half for arguing with officials and made his long trek back to the locker room amid a chorus of booing and hissing fans.
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