There’s desperate…and then there’s the Los Angeles Lakers.
If the picture above doesn’t show exactly how bad the Lakers fan base feels about Dwight Howard coming back then nothing does. The initial thought here was “Wow — that’s tampering,” but it’s unclear as to who put the sign up and if the Lakers are on the hook.
Either way, the Lakers’ brass has shown time and time again that they want No. 12 in a purple and gold uniform this season. Demanding a max contract, Howard is going to force LA to either deal Pau Gasol or amnesty Kobe Bryant — while the former seems most likely, Bryant’s $30 million in 2013 puts the Lakers behind the eight ball and could get nixed to save some coin.
If Howard wants to book to the Houston Rockets then let him. Begging a guy like Howard only feeds into his massive ego and makes him into an even bigger drama queen.
Los Angeles didn’t even win a playoff game with its supposed super team in 2012 and Howard thoroughly embarrassed himself by getting ejected in Game 4 of the first-round series versus the San Antonio Spurs. Unless LA has the hankering for a massive headache, it should steer clear of the seven-time NBA All-Star. This is a common example of the Lakers caring more about superstars than gathering up Ws. This is the same “Hollywood mindset” that got Los Angeles’ fans tangled up with Howard in the first place — when will they learn?
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.