Dwight Howard was the main star in last night’s preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. Everyone was anticipating Howard’s Laker debut, and at times the court was all his. Literally.
As Los Angeles was about to begin its pre-game warmups, the Lakers players played a prank on the newest member of the team. Howard led the line for the Lakers, but as he walked onto the court, there was no one following him. It was a nice moment to see and showed just how well this group of players got a long with each other.
However, Yahoo! Sports reports that the Lakers’ leader wasn’t too thrilled about the prank his teammates pulled on Howard.
On the occasion of his preseason Lakers debut, perhaps his truest and most important introduction to this most scrutinized job in sports – center for the Los Angeles Lakers – had come after the tears and ovation and his teammates pranking him by pushing Howard to lead them out of the tunnel – only to stop and let him run out there alone. For one, Kobe Bryant doesn’t do basketball laugh tracks, nor condone them.
“I don’t play those games,” he grumbled later.
Bryant is known for his intense demeanor on the court and he never takes a day off when it comes to basketball. Whether it is a preseason game or a Finals game, Bryant always has the same mindset – win.
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Howard has been criticized by many for his attitude on the court and claim that he seems to be “too happy” when playing. Bryant wants to instill his ideals into Howard, but something like this may impeded that process.
This prank amused fans and some of the Lakers, but don’t expect this to happen again during the regular season under Bryant’s watch.
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In case you missed it: Dwight Howard talks about his Lakers debut.
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