Kobe Bryant Says Dwight Howard Needs More Shots

Well, well, well … it’s now come to this for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe is at last realizing that Dwight Howard — who has been frustrated about his lack of offensive involvement all season — needs to be a more prominent feature in the team’s attack. Per the LA Daily News: “Dwight Howard has shown visible frustration with a subdued demeanor, lowered voice and shortened answers. But he’s refused to gripe in recent weeks about the inconsistency the Lakers feature him on offense. ‘I don’t even want to talk about it,’ Howard said. ‘We have to figure out what we need to do to play. If you want to win games, you have to play the right way.’ Howard doesn’t have to speak up. Nor does he feel inclined to tote around a box score to teammates and reporters, like he did two months ago when the Lakers went away from his post presence. A certain prominent teammate will speak up for Howard. ‘He’s playing phenomenal,’ Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said. ‘We have to figure out a way to get him some more looks down low.’ […] They’re encouraging Howard to work more on his mid-range game in hopes that improves his versatility, floor spacing and free-throw shooting. A few days ago, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni suggested the Lakers need to move the ball more because Howard’s always open. Howard has deflected comments about his offensive role by stressing he’ll set better screens and maintain his defensive focus. Even when informed about Bryant’s vow that he will receive more touches, Howard hardly sounded interest in the talk. He suggested it’s better if the Lakers let their actions speak for themselves. ‘If we lose, everything is magnified. We just have to play the game the right way and do what we did from the start to get some wins and go from there.'”