Kobe Bryant took the high road in discussing former teammate Dwight Howard after he watched the Los Angeles Lakers, even with him still sidelined, knock off Howard's new team on Thursday night at the Toyota Center.
"I think he'll have a great year," Bryant told USA Today of Howard. "He's always very determined to be more of an offensive player. Here in Houston he'll have the opportunity to do that. He always wanted to compete with some of the all-time greats, the Chamberlains and Shaqs and Olajuwons and so forth. This year should be the year where he starts putting up those kind of numbers - 25, 26 (points per game), stuff like that."
Kind and encouraging words aside, it's possible Bryant was relishing Howard's heartache. Steve Blake swished a three-pointer with just over a second remaining to give the Lakers a 99-98 victory after Howard's seven late missed free throws set the stage for his heroics.
Howard infamously turned down an offer from the Lakers of nearly $30 million more in overall salary than Houston could give him, abruptly putting and end his brief alliance with Bryant.
"We speak everyday," Bryant sarcastically told reporters following the game as they peppered him with questions about Howard.
Bryant, still recovering from his torn Achilles, later added he hopes to have more of a personal hand in adding to Howard's misery when he makes his return to the Staple Center to face the Lakers on Feb. 19.
"Hopefully, I'll play in that game," he said. "I hope so, barring any major setbacks.
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