Dwight Howard's decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers is already done, but stories about why he left one of the NBA's biggest markets for Houston are still rampant.
Many have said Dwight's unhappiness with his role in Mike D'Antoni's offense was the key factor in his decision to join the Rockets, but sources are now saying an equal motivation to ditch the purple and gold was co-existing in the future with Kobe Bryant.
According to an ESPN report, Howard did not want Bryant to return after next season because with Kobe in the fold, he would never be able to assume the mantle of team leader. "How can it be Kobe's team and Dwight's team?" a source said. "It was about the passing of the torch."
Other sources claimed Howard and his representatives told the Lakers repeatedly that Howard would have a hard time re-signing if Bryant was going to play in L.A. beyond the 2013-2014 season. Bryant, though, recently said he envisions playing two or three more seasons.
Going further, Howard's representatives asked the Lakers if they were considering the possibility of using their amnesty clause on the L.A. legend because of an uncertain timetable for recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. Without Bryant, the Lakers figured to struggle in the deep Western Conference even if Howard came back to the Staples Center.
Howard has repeatedly denied any rift with Bryant, and even called stories that spoke of Kobe telling Dwight he would teach him how to be a champion untrue.
"I just really think the timing in L.A., it wasn't right for me," Howard said. "Maybe two years ago, or 2-3 years from now, it would have been the right time. But I just think right now the timing was off for me. That's not saying that L.A. is a bad place, but I just think it's all about timing and fit when you're talking about basketball. You can put anybody together on the court and expect them to win, but the pieces have to really fit in order for a team to be successful and it was very, very tough, man. It's probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make in my life."
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