Dwight Howard recently discussed his tumultuous time with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012, revealing that he initially did not want to join the team or play alongside Kobe Bryant. During an appearance on 'Gil's Arena,' Howard expressed that the immense expectations for their partnership, likened to the legendary duo of Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal, were overwhelming for him, especially as he was recovering from injuries and had unresolved feelings from his previous Finals loss to the Lakers. The 2012-13 season was marred by injuries and conflicts, leading to a disappointing playoff exit, which Howard attributes partly to emotional decisions he made regarding his career at that time. Despite the struggles, he later found redemption with the Lakers when he rejoined the team in 2019, contributing to their championship run, albeit without Bryant. Howard reflected on the lessons learned from his experience with Bryant and expressed regret over how he handled the situation during their initial partnership. Ultimately, both players managed to mend their relationship after Howard's return to the Lakers and have acknowledged the impact of their time together.