When Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2012-13 season, the excitement around the team was electric. With Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Howard forming a superstar quartet, the Lakers had high hopes. But after just one season, things quickly soured. Howard left and became a villain in Laker Nation’s eyes. Fast forward to 2020, he made a return, redeemed himself by helping secure a championship, and all seemed well. Yet, Howard’s NBA career took a different turn afterward, as he struggled to find a home in the league, ultimately heading overseas. But, from time to time, Howard showed his desire to rejoin the Lakers.

In a recent episode of Above the Rim, where he appeared alongside Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, Howard playfully sang, “Ouuu Jeanie, Give Me one mo chanceeeee!” While the moment had fans laughing, it was clear that Howard’s desire wasn’t about chasing another championship. It was about something else—his connection with the fans.

That connection came into focus when NBA reporter Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson revealed on X that Howard told him how much he loved being back in LA during the Lakers game against the Phoenix Suns at the Crypto Arena on Friday. Howard shared via text message, “i love it man,” adding that the fans are what he truly appreciates. According to Howard, the Lakers fan base shows him “so much love,” which might explain his playful plea for one more chance.

However, it wasn’t always that way. When Howard left the Lakers in 2013, fans turned on him. Reflecting on his departure, Howard said, “I think I made the best decision for Dwight, and who cares what everybody else says?… People are going to love, they’re going to hate me, but hey, at least they feel something.”

In the end, Howard’s 2020 return to the Lakers brought closure to that rocky chapter. By helping the team win a championship, both Howard and the fans let go of their past grudges, and now, all that remains is mutual respect and admiration.

Dwight Howard got recognition from LA Lakers fans

Interestingly, during the same Above the Rim podcast, Dwight Howard shared a unique experience from his trip to the Philippines. He found it surprising that the Lakers’ fandom in the Philippines was alive and thriving. Howard described how he visited an arena dedicated to the Lakers, decked out in purple and gold, with jerseys of all the Laker greats and even parts of the team’s court on display.

What truly touched Howard, though, was the personal recognition he received. “They actually retired my jersey with the rest of the Laker greats, and they had a ceremony for me,” he revealed. While his jersey is celebrated overseas, back in the NBA, Howard is still waiting for a similar acknowledgment.

However, Howard hasn’t shied away from discussing how disrespected he feels by the NBA. On his podcast, he openly aired his frustrations with his rocky free agency in 2022. “At that time, I was fed up with all the cr*p and the lies,” Howard admitted, expressing his decision to play overseas as a way to escape the NBA’s false promises.

Back in 2022, Howard also shared his frustrations on the All The Smoke podcast, stating, “I wanna play, but at the same time, there’s like no teams that really wanna allow me to play.” Despite his accomplishments, he felt ignored and overlooked, a feeling that seems to persist today.