37-year-old Dwight Howard had the unique opportunity of being teammates with two basketball legends, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. When asked to compare his experiences with the two superstars, Howard offered insightful reflections on how their different stages of his life and career influenced his perception of their leadership styles.
During his time with the Lakers alongside Bryant, Howard was in the early prime of his career, brimming with youthful confidence and individual achievements. However, the age gap and sharing the spotlight with another alpha star led to some disagreements on the court.
Howard said on Math Hoffa podcast, “As I got older, I started to realize that more of how he felt. As a young ball player, you’re not seeing that. You think that the game lasts forever. When you get older, you see ‘I ain’t got the same amount of time and energy to put into this, that and third. It seemed like we fell out, but it wasn’t really like we fell out.”
On the other hand, teaming up with James during his later years brought a different dynamic. Howard shared, “LeBron acts like somebody from the South side of Georgia. We act kind of like twins – joking, silly, having a good time. We get on the court, we’re still going to have a good time, but we’re going to dominate. Kobe ain’t bullsh*tting with nobody… He was just a little different in his approach. But that’s just Kobe, that’s what made him who he is.”
Reflecting on his time with two basketball giants, Howard acknowledged the significance of age and experience in shaping perspectives and relationships in a team environment.
While Bryant’s no-nonsense attitude and intensity left an indelible mark, James’s ability to balance seriousness and camaraderie fostered a strong bond on and off the court.
