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http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9035343/dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-rededicates-self-assist-kobe-bryant?src=mobile

"I'm a big thinker," Howard said during a wide-ranging, candid interview after the Los Angeles Lakers practiced Saturday afternoon. "So I just stayed in the hotel and thought about the first half of the season and how I could do better for our team.

In Ramona Shelburne article, DH12 admits that a healthier diet, committing to dominating the game on the defensive end and finally truly "buy-in" into coach Dantoni offense has been a huge reason for his improved play.

"Besides just the expectations," he said. "In games, I mess up and there's somebody in the crowd saying something and I'm ready to snap at 'em. That's not what we're supposed to do.

"But you look at a guy like Kobe and he doesn't care about nothing but going out there and playing hard. That's a lesson a lot of us have to learn -- especially young guys."

From reading the article it seems that the relationship between Kobe and Dwight is getting ALOT better and Dwight is finally ready to step up to the plate and help continue this post ASG surge

"I told him [Bryant]: 'I'm afraid to miss. When I get out there, I don't want to miss, and I end up missing.' And he was like: 'You know what? Shoot 1,000 jumpshots a day. You're going to miss a lot of those shots. But that's OK. Because you're teaching yourself it's OK to miss.'

My absolute favorite part of the whole article. This team is coming together fellas and we're gonna bring Pau back into the fold soon. Just hope this coach allows us to play to our strengths come playoff time. But hey we will see

Finally! You're getting there big fella. You're getting there.

**** yeah Dwight, respect for realizing you can learn a lot from this Franchise.

he aint going anywhere...at least this makes me think he wont

he's getting smarter, its must be PED.

Dwight does a lot of talking. I'll believe this after a long stretch of max effort on D and no sulking because of a lack of shots.

Good stuff Dwight. Learn as much as you can from Kobe!

Last night's game was the first time all year that I saw Kobe put his arm around Howard (late in the game). Even if only for a brief second, this type of affection can have a tremendous effect on Howard. He needs approval and encouragement from a big brother.

i'm not sure when D12 gave the interview but in any event, it is a good sign.

But D must play smart, stay out of foul trouble, make 50% of his FT and impose himself in every game. 20/13 / 3 minimum.

b shaw20 wrote:Last night's game was the first time all year that I saw Kobe put his arm around Howard (late in the game). Even if only for a brief second, this type of affection can have a tremendous effect on Howard. He needs approval and encouragement from a big brother.

i'm not sure when D12 gave the interview but in any event, it is a good sign.

But D must play smart, stay out of foul trouble, make 50% of his FT and impose himself in every game. 20/13 / 3 minimum.

You hit the nail right on the head B. Howard is sorta fragile, he needs acceptance and Kobe is cut from the old cloth of being tough minded. A good leader has to learn the personality of his teammates, each one has a different button that needs to be pushed.

I like Howard more and more each game. I think he realizes everyone is sacrificing their game for the betterment of the team. Nash did it by taking a scoring role, kobe is doing it by scoring and facilitating, and now Howard is learning...

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Once Pau gets his game on and stops bitchin about his role, this team will finally have its identity.

drooling on the thought of having Pau as C and not Twan or Clark. their PT surely will decrease but it's for the best.

Better back up what you're saying D12. Don't get us all excited.

I know when I played ball, it was a relief not to have to carry a team. all I had to do was score when I could and play defence ( and Ron arrest and Rodman were my idols).. I think Howard is seeing it. I don't have to do this or that..just play my game DEFENCE...should be a relief for him, well I hope it is...he preached patients and he has been patiently waiting for everything to fall in line.

This sounds really great, keep it up bo...Gentlemen.

Quote in the article from MDA...

"I think he was harshly judged because he wasn't 100 percent. There's all kind of little factors, but the further away he gets away from the [back] operation, the better he will be."

Glad to hear this and hope he's sincere (which I have my doubts that he won't switch back to his old opinions).

Did he really just now realize that he could learn some things from Kobe?

Gek wrote:Glad to hear this and hope he's sincere (which I have my doubts that he won't switch back to his old opinions).

Did he really just now realize that he could learn some things from Kobe?

Just think after he and his agent realized Mitch and Jim weren't gonna move him at the trade deadline and followed by all those influential Laker greats speaking at Dr. Buss funeral that switch went off in his head. I've liked what he given us post allstar break. lets just hope he continues to dominate on both ends of the court

[/quote]Just think after he and his agent realized Mitch and Jim weren't gonna move him at the trade deadline and followed by all those influential Laker greats speaking at Dr. Buss funeral that switch went off in his head. I've liked what he given us post allstar break. lets just hope he continues to dominate on both ends of the court[/quote] all i care about is his 'd', when pau comes back i hope we play like we did when howard went down. that team had good ball movement.

"I'm a big thinker," Howard said

Am I the only one that laughed when reading this part.

No, I had to do a double-take.