Right now my body and mind tell me:
I’m banged up and hurt,
I feel weak and tired,
I’m starting to wonder:
Am I really invincible?

My team tells me:
I need me to step up,
I have to lead,
Push through and persevere
They need me to be the hero they I can be,

My advisors tell me:
You’re young, you still have time,
Don’t do too much; you’ll lose it all,
Think of your future, think of yourself.
You can’t save everyone.

And this is what I know:
My name is Dwight Howard,
I’m 27 years old,
I play for the famed Lakers,
I’m hurt, and
My contract expires this year.

I know everyone is being hard on Dwight. A lot of it he’s put it on himself and deserves it (see Orlando history), other things are out of his control and we can’t blame him for it (injuries happen). But the reality is: this is where he is in life and he has to deal with it.

Howard is your typical youth going through a difficult transition into adulthood. All youth believe themselves to be invincible, they can do anything. This is simple psychology and human sociology speaking. But Dwight’s injuries are bringing him back down to earth, he doubts his once thought immortality. And this has him thinking about his future, and puts him in the dilemma he is in.

Perhaps he really does want to play hard, but he feels breakable. And if he is breakable, what he once thought would be a long career is in doubt. He feels insecure, and now seeks security for his future. All these things are playing through his head.

If he plays hard now, and gets seriously injured, his big pay day comes in jeopardy. If he doesn’t play hard and plays it safe, everyone will judge him for it. He is still a youth mentally, and the mentality of most youths is being well liked and accepted.

Kobe knows exactly what he was saying and what is going on Dwight’s head. Kobe doesn’t want him playing if he “seriously” is hurt. That hurts the team. Kobe’s words was an attempt to snap him out of his “woe is me” mind frame, which is hurting the team’s moral. Regardless of whether or not he is on the court, an angry Howard is better than a “pity me” Howard. Unfortunately, as we saw last night, Howard does not have the drive right now.Howard may be injured physically right now which happens, but his mental injury (The recognition that he is mortal) is what is really hurting him and the Lakers’s.

Sorry for the long post, I just had to rant this out.

Howard is losing the respect of Laker fans whining about his injury. Suck it up big guy, that’s what real professionals do. Kobe certainly has shown by example how to play injured and win. Andrew Bynum certainly had the guts to play injured, helped the Lakers win a championship by showing true grit.

Man Up Howard the Coward!!!

Mike Brown, Chillin on a beach somewhere….cashing them laker checks….LAUGHING all the way to the bank !!!!!

ahahahaha

I’m on Dwight’s side in this. The guy takes a pounding, some of it due to the position he plays, some due to how he plays. I have no doubt that he rushed back from his back surgery, that he’s doing his best to play with an injured shoulder. And here comes KoMe, who whines for a foul call if anyone breathes within 10 feet of him, whining that Dwight should play through obviously significant injuries.

KoMe should be glad that I’m not Dwight. I’d corner his arrogant a** in the locker room and teach him the meaning of real pain.

I also like how he attacked somebody else for their typing when that person had fewer typos in his post than he did. Rational?

Come on guys, come up with some more trades where the,Lakers get all stars and only have to give up Duhon or Blake.

Delusional!

Kobe has no business telling anyone to man up. DH is,already playing at 75% with his back. The torn labrum is very painful and only gets better with rest/or surgery.

Kobe is goading him for selfish reasons. Hes just as delusional as the laker fanbase in thinking another title is coming, this year or next.

By the way, past titles are great for the franchise and all, but theyvhave ZERO relevance to this season. So, keys just stick to what’s relevant, huh? Wait, that doesn’t work out for you laker dunces….