Photo: Peter Baba

During a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David, Dwight Howard shared candid details about his relationship with Kobe Bryant and why he would take LeBron James over the late Lakers legend.

Howard, who played alongside Bryant during the 2012-13 season, revealed the lack of personal connection between the two despite being teammates. “We were on the same team, but he didn’t really speak,” Howard said, referring to their time during the All-Star Game and regular season. “Our locker rooms were next to each other, but we didn’t have that type of bond.”

Howard pointed to different leadership styles as a key reason for the disconnect. While acknowledging Kobe’s drive and intensity, he recalled feeling isolated. “I’m like, ‘Why would my teammate not talk to me? What did I do that was so bad?’” he said. “Maybe that was just his strategy.”

The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year also opened up about a phone call with Bryant following the 2009 NBA Finals, when Howard’s Orlando Magic lost to the Lakers. Kobe advised him to work on mid-range and free-throw line jumpers, a suggestion Howard took to heart by committing to 1,000 daily shots, which led to his second-place MVP finish in 2011.

However, their brief tenure as Lakers teammates was strained by injuries and chemistry issues. “I think we didn’t give each other a chance,” Howard said. “At the time, I felt like Kobe didn’t want me there.”

When asked directly about choosing between Bryant and LeBron James, Howard leaned toward the latter. “I’ve had a great relationship with LeBron,” he explained. “He talks to you, he supports you, he pushes you, but he also listens.”

While Howard respected Bryant’s competitive mindset, he admitted that a more open line of communication would have helped their relationship. “I just think we were on different pages,” he said. “With LeBron, the vibe was different.”

Howard’s comments come amid renewed interest in behind-the-scenes dynamics of past Lakers teams, with fans and analysts revisiting the 2012-13 season that failed to meet expectations despite a star-studded roster.

The former All-NBA center maintained that his views are rooted in his personal experience. “People lead differently,” he said. “But connection matters, and with LeBron, I felt that.”