Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel recently had an interview with Steve Aschburner for NBA.com. Vogel talks about Davis and LeBron and also had intriguing insight on the role of Lakers center, Dwight Howard.
Vogel was asked about Howard’s status physically and mentally. He responded saying that the situation is different and Howard is aware that he is not the player that he once was.
This time around, he’s had a few teams where they haven’t had great success. And he’s at a different point, age-wise, in his career. So he’s excited just to be part of something, in any way he can help. He knows it’s going to be more of a role player type of role. […] He’s excited about it. And he has the ability to be one of the best at it in the league. He’s going to be concentrating on that.
Vogel states that his focus for the redemption hungry center is defending, rebounding, screen-setting, and lob catching. Howard said that he’d be willing to accept the role according to his coach.
The former first overall pick finds himself on his fifth team in four seasons. While on a nonguaranteed deal, Howard may find himself out of the league if he’s not able to adapt to his role.
However, it will be intriguing to see if he would be able to thrive in this role. He only played in 9 games with Washington prior, he silently put up 16.6/12.5 with the Charlotte Hornets.
