After the Lakers’ bench only put up 19 points against the Clippers on opening night, the season wasn’t looking so bright outside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. But Howard — possibly the unlikeliest of heroes, especially in this city — might have changed that tune.
During the Lakers’ 120-101 win over the Hornets, Howard ended the night with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in 23 minutes. His plus/minus was +23, the highest of any Laker that night as L.A. began its first winning streak this year.
Howard was an unexpected (and unplanned, for the most part) acquisition by the Lakers during the offseason. L.A. had Javale McGee and DeMarcus Cousins — and when needed, AD — to be at the five. But Cousins’ suffering a torn ACL to end his season in mid-August brought Howard into the conversation.
It seemed like a mutual agreement between the Grizzlies and Howard that they weren’t going to work well together. Within a week’s time, Howard agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with the Lakers after the Memphis Grizzles bought him out. Different Lakers and front office executives were vocal about Howard’s capability to play for another season, and to be a good teammate. And it’s looking like they weren’t wrong.
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