Steve Nash, two-time MVP and current Los Angeles Lakers point guard was one of the players present in Los Angeles' pitch to keep then-free agent center Dwight Howard in purple and gold.
According to reports, Nash spoke of Howard's "difficulty assimilating" in Los Angeles, which can be read between the lines of his problems co-existing with Kobe Bryant and dealing with the Black Mamba's leadership style.
"Ultimately, I think Dwight wasn't comfortable here and didn't want to be here and I think if he didn't want to be here, there's no point for anyone in him being here," Nash said.
He expounded, saying, "Dwight had some issues with the season. I think it kind of basically goes with what he said to the media that he never quite felt embraced in L.A. He never quite felt supported. That's basically it. I think in some ways you can read into that what you will, but I think he never quite felt comfortable at home and I don't know if that's anybody's fault."
The Lakers had Nash and Bryant speak to Howard in the meeting, along with team executives. This may have been a turn-off for Howard, though, as he reportedly complained to general manager Mitch Kupchak that head coach Mike D'Antoni often sought their leadership rather than his.
Some believed the Lakers' effort was meaningless going into their sit-down with the center, a sentiment Nash seemed to back up. "Frankly, I thought before the meeting, we didn't really have a chance and I'd like to think that after the meeting we had a chance," Nash said.
Beyond Howard and Bryant's personality clashes, the main reason Dwight is said to have left is that he did not enjoy his role in D'Antoni's offense, which is pick-and-roll based. Howard wanted more touches in the post.
Nash, who played for many years under D'Antoni with the Phoenix Suns and won back-to-back MVP awards there, defended his longtime coach.
"I think he's a bright coach and I think he's got a good touch with the team and I think depending on how this roster rounds out, I don't mind Mike D'Antoni in an underdog situation when everybody's kind of written him off," Nash said.
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