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On Tuesday night Dwight Howard returned to Orlando to take on the Magic, a place where he played his first 8 NBA seasons.
The return was emotional for all involved. Howard who seemed nervous prolonged his pre- game workout so much even teammate Steve Nash took note. “I haven’t seen him work on his game that much before a game,” Nash said to Orlando media with a chuckle.
The most impressive gesture was that Kobe Bryant who on about 75 % of his road trips does a pre- game work out but on this day decided not to and was no where to be found hours before the game. Leaving the stage and spot light to his center.
“Dwight just needs to go out there and bust their ass, show them what they are missing,” Bryant said.
Howard finished the game with 39 points and 16 rebounds leading the Lakers to the 106-97 win. Definitely reminding the Magic fans what he is capable of doing.
It didn’t hurt that Dwight was shooting free throws like it was practice, connecting on 25 of 39.
You have to believe that Howard felt at home and comfortable, even with fans court side trash talking him.
“It was nice to play here, we just have to all move on,” Howard said.
Dwight send me a text on my way home from the game which read “God is good.” A text that told me what this win really meant to him, a game that could build his confidence for the rest of the season.
