Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]Dwight Howard hasn't been a big hit with the Los Angeles Lakers so far. The team has been in disarray for most of the year and hasn't clicked at all. The Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs and Kobe Bryant isn't happy with the losing.
Being new in town, Howard has received his fair share of blame. Howard has now accepted some of the responsibility for the Lakers poor season. Howard told ESPNLosAngeles.com that his lack of conditioning costs the Lakers some games this season.
"You've got to have energy and I want to bring that energy every night," Howard said. "That's my job. They count on me to be that guy. I just know how much more effective I will be when I'm in better shape. And, unfortunately, it's cost us a lot of games.
"I knew that would be a process. The better shape I'm in, the more active I can be and the more I'm able to do on the floor. But it was a struggle at first because I just didn't have it in the tank, especially on defense."
That can't sit well with Braynt. He made a big deal out of Shaquille O'Neal delaying surgery on his toe and being out of shape when he came to camp.
It's true that Howard has had back surgery and didn't have a full training camp and preseason to get ready, but his poor attitude hasn't helped the team either. As much as I liked the trade of Howard to the Lakers,I said he was too big of a goof to mesh well with Bryant, who takes this game ultra-serious.
I'll give Howard some credit for taking some of the blame for the Lakers' woes and not pointing fingers elsewhere.
