Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Dwight Howard Is Past His Prime
Are you disappointed that Dwight Howard has left the Los Angeles Lakers? Well, you shouldn’t be. According to hall of famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the former Laker is already past his prime.
Abdul-Jabbar wrote on Twitter:
“Howard is an example of the fact that potential-has-a-shelf-life. Laker fans, be patient, allow Mitch & Co. to work the free agent market.”
Howard’s stats have declined slightly since his most productive season in 2010 but it’s hard to argue that Howard is past his prime. Kareem is right, however, that the Lakers are in a prime position to make some moves during free agency next year.
USA Today reports that Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace will all be at the end of their contracts. The Lakers may decide to keep their three signature players but they’ll also have enough cap space to add some big names to their roster. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony will also be free agents during the summer of 2014.
What do you think of Dwight Howard’s decision to leave the Lakers? Do you agree with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Is Dwight Howard past his prime?
Howard is an example of the fact that potential-has-a-shelf-life. Laker fans, be patient, allow Mitch & Co. to work the free agent market.
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) July 9, 2013
The Hall of Fame player isn’t the only former Lakers player to criticize Howard. Shaquille O’Neal recently said that Howard left Los Angeles because he couldn’t handle the heat of prime time.
Shaq said: “It was expected … We’ve all been in L. A., and not a whole lot of people can handle being under the bright lights. Everybody wants to do it, but when you get there, there are certain pressures. I think it was a safe move for him to go to a little town like Houston. That’s right, little town. I said it.”
The Lakers may have lost Dwight Howard but don’t expect the team to roll over in 2013. Kobe Bryant sent a message to his former teammate on Twitter, saying that he was ready for a battle next season.
I wish d12 the best honestly. I just find it hard to follow players that wanna kick my teams ass #thatsjustme
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 9, 2013
