Dwight Howard Trade Raises Questions for Lakers

A blockbuster trade in August is a wonderful thing for NBA fans.  However, if you’re a supporter of the Los Angeles Lakers, then there were many reasons to celebrate last night.  

The Lakers swung a deal for All-Star center and three-time Defensive Player of the year, Dwight Howard.  Howard joins the Lakers from the Orlando Magic while former Laker big man, Andrew Bynum, heads east to the Philadelphia 76ers.  Either Bynum of Pau Gasol had to go in order to make room for Howard in the paint.  Many thought that both Bynum and Gasol would be dealt in a multiple team trade scenario, but that was not the case. 

Of the four teams involved in last night’s headliner (Lakers, Sixers, Nuggets, Magic), the Lakers hit a grand slam by not only landing Howard, but for being able to maintain Gasol in the deal as well.

The Lakers promptly become the favorites out west.  Although, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a young dynamic team both offensively and defensively and still demand respect going into this season as the defending Western Conference Champions.  The Lakers, on the other hand, have continued to get rich with talent all offseason long.   First, they land a two-time league MVP at the point in free agent Steve Nash and now with the acquisition Howard, they add a gigantic defensive presence to their frontcourt. 

Their success this upcoming season hinges on a couple of things.  

First, can a starting five of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard gel enough in 82 games to make a championship run?  

This is a logical question considering the talent loaded Lakers of ’03-’04 never came together; this team will be different.  Nash and Bryant are true floor leaders, who have a lot of respect from everyone around them.  Howard’s ability to defend will fit in perfectly with Lakers head coach Mike Brown and his tactical defensive mind set.  Both Gasol and World Peace are veterans and proven teammates who know their role and will contribute accordingly.  It still won't be easy.  The Lakers will need every bit of training camp and preseason to continue to work out the kinks of Brown's offense; plus grow together as a group. 

The second question concerns Dwight Howard’s back and whether or not he will be ready to go once the season gets underway.  

Howard had major back surgery in April and has reportedly been limiting his travel this offseason due to the strain a plane ride puts on his recovery.  Back injuries are serious and surgery can be strenuous to recover from.  It is very likely that Howard will have to miss a significant amount of time at the beginning of the season.  The Lakers know this and with the talent and role players they currently have on their roster they will be able to power through the first couple of months of the season if they have to.

The third and final question deals with the issue of Howard handling the pressure of playing in LA. 

Howard joins a list of Hall of Fame centers: George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal who have all donned the purple and gold.  The pressure to be great and win every night didn’t exist in Orlando.  It exists now and Howard will have to elevate his game every time he steps out onto the court.  He garnered the individual accolades with the Magic.  He has proven himself as an individual.  He has to prove himself as a teammate playing alongside fellow superstars.  Not an easy task for someone who has shared the stage in Orlando with no one, but himself. 

Every single one of these questions will resolve itself as the 2012-2013 season plays out. 

Going forward, all eyes shift from South Beach to Southern California.  Maybe now we will get to witness a Kobe/LeBron Finals and maybe we won’t know what kind of teammate Howard will be, until that happens.