New Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, who was once the toast of Tinseltown after he was traded to the LA Lakers last year, has responded to the tirades against him by Laker great Kareem Abdul Jabbar who insinuated that he does not have the IQ to become an all-time great.

In responding to Jabbar's harsh criticism, Howard suggested that the attacks against him were caused by him leaving the proud Lakers franchise and joining the Rockets.

"I did hear about it but everybody is entitled to their own opinion," he told CSN Houston. " When I joined the Lakers, I was the greatest center and then when I left, I was the worst, mentally I wasn't capable of playing center."

He continued by saying: "I understand that a lot of things are said out of emotion but I would say that if he has anything to say, I'm here in Houston. We can talk man to man. That's how I feel about it."

Jabbar, a six-time MVP and five-time champion with the Lakers, said Howard does not have the basketball IQ for him to become a dominant player. He was quoted as saying that "Dwight is an extraordinary athlete and he has incredible athletic ability, but basketball is a game where the most important muscle you use on the court is the one between your ears."

Jabbar also said that Howard does not have a 'go to' move.

Howard left the Lakers after a tumultous year with the team where he reportedly clashed with another Laker great, superstar guard Kobe Bryant.