Celtics Title Town

Dwight Howard wants the world to love him. But it doesn't work that way. Is the pain of true wisdom too much to bear for him? He created the problem, the blame should fall into his lap.  Is it enough to be content with bread, water and air? Of course not! Not for guys like Howard, they want the glitz and glamour of bigger markets. There is so much more than LA, but he was unable to see it. So he explains how he feels.

"I never wanted anybody to hate me, you know. I wanted everybody to love me, you know, like me, for sticking around and doing what they wanted me to do. And making everybody else happy. And that was a valuable lesson for me, you know."

It is about you, and that's fine, but it's how you go about things. Howard's actions were poor, and his integrity was shot when it was all done. Howard hasn't signed any extension with the Lakers, but the writing's on the wall. He's exactly where he wants to be. And he'll be there next season after this year.

But Kupchak was not as definitive on Howard signing a long-term deal with the team next year, admitting the Lakers have yet to discuss an extension with him and that they took a by Text-Enhance">gamble that he will re-sign with the team next year after he experiences a season in Los Angeles with teammates such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol.

"Our feeling was, no matter what anyone says, let's just get him to Los Angeles and we'll take our chances," Kupchak said then. "It's the organization, ownership, the city of Los Angeles, our ability to win games, surrounding Dwight with players that will make it easier for him to play the game and not have to burden a load that's maybe not fair."