Steve Nash doesn’t think Dwight Howard was ever comfortable playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and it ultimately led to him leaving the team when he became a free agent.
After meeting with Nash, Kobe Bryant and Lakers management last week, Howard chose to join the Houston Rockets rather than re-sign in Los Angeles.
“Dwight had some issues with the season,” Nash told ESPN LA 710 Tuesday.
“I think it kind of basically goes with what he said to the media that he never quite felt embraced in L.A. He never quite felt supported. That’s basically it.”
Nash said that he wasn’t optimistic about the team re-signing Howard heading into their meeting, but thought they had a chance after the meeting concluded.
“I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets,” Howard said in a tweet on July 5 after making his decision last week. “I feel its (sic) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”
Nash suggested that perhaps Howard didn’t enjoy playing in the pick-and-roll offensive system the Lakers employ, even though he is joining a Houston team that also runs a pick-and-roll offence.
“He didn’t seem like he really wanted to do a pick-and-roll offence, maybe because he had run one in Orlando for so long and he wanted to get in the post more,” Nash said.
“We’ll see. Houston runs a pick-and-roll offence and they are littered with shooting and can maybe space the floor more for him so he can have more opportunities inside with space.”
The Canadian point guard added: “Ultimately, I think Dwight wasn’t comfortable here and didn’t want to be here and I think if he didn’t want to be here, there’s no point for anyone in him being here. So, we wish him the best and move on.”
Howard has reportedly agreed to sign a four-year, $88 million deal with Houston that includes an opt-out clause.