Dwight Howard is pointing fingers at LeBron James for his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers following their 2020 NBA championship run.
The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year recently revealed on his podcast, "Above the Rim with DH12," that a heated on-court exchange with James during the 2019-20 season led to his exit.
Howard, who played a crucial role in the Lakers' title-winning campaign, claims he was "kicked off the Lakers" for calling out James' lack of defensive effort and for telling him to "stop acting like a b----" according to Courtside Buzz.
During a conversation with former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, Howard recalled the incident.
"I said that [too], and I got kicked off the Lakers," Howard said. "So, I know how you feel."
Howard explained that the friction started when he urged James to hustle back on defense, a comment that didn't sit well with the Lakers superstar.
"It happened on defense," Howard added. "I was like, ‘Yo, you gotta get back.' And [LeBron] got mad because I said something. And I was like, ‘Yo, stop acting like a b----, man.'"
Howard's history with the Lakers dates back to 2012-13, a tumultuous season that ended in his departure. He later returned for the 2019-20 season, playing a pivotal role in securing the franchise's 17th championship. Despite his contributions, he left for the Philadelphia 76ers the following season before rejoining the Lakers in 2021-22. That year marked his final NBA stint before heading overseas.
While James has not publicly responded to Howard's claims, the former Lakers big man remains vocal about what he perceives as an unjust exit. Whether his comments reignite past tensions or remain just another NBA what-if, one thing is certain: Howard isn't done telling his side of the story.
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 4:14 AM.