NBA news: Dwight Howard joins LeBron James in Lakers and Ice Cube hopes fans could give him a chance

Dwight Howard is back in Los Angeles and will be playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Lakers. The former Atlanta Hawks star could be the frontcourt help that the team needs, but it is not shocking that some fans are skeptical of the deal.

NBA news: Dwight Howard has a tattered history with the Lakers

One of the biggest news in the league this week was the Howard signing a deal that brought him back to the Los Angeles Lakers. He first played for the team under a one-year contract in season 2012-13 completing the so-called Lakers Big 3 at the time with Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant.

When the said contract expired, Howard entered the free agency and later declined a $118 million five-year maximum contract from the Lakers. Before and after Howard’s departure from the team, it appeared that he had some misunderstandings with Nash and Bryant. The same vibe was naturally absorbed by the massive and passionate fanbase of the Lakers. Fast forward to this week; many are cautious about celebrating Howard’s return.

Season 2018-19 was underwhelming for the Lakers fans as they did not even make it to the finals while James also nursed a groin injury that kept the basketball superstar off the court for 17 games consecutively. But the offseason this summer has a much better story for Lakers fans, especially when the team signed Davis.

While Howard was one of the most notable players in the NBA in the early 2010s, it has been reported that he is aware of his role-player status in the Lakers this time. The speculations are that the Lakers’ starting lineup includes James, Davis, Kyle Kuzma, DeMarcus Cousins, and Danny Green.

NBA and Lakers fan Ice Cube hopes fans would trust Dwight Howard again

NBA fans can be really passionate and also be fierce in calling out something they do not like. So the skepticism around Howard’s return was not surprising. But one Lakers superfan and popular rapper Ice Cube hopes his fellow basketball lovers would allow Howard to adjust and perform.

This is a huge statement coming from someone who called Howard “Dwight Coward” back in 2013. “I think Los Angeles should give Dwight a clean slate and let his game speak for itself,” the rapper told the LA Times. “I would love for him to concentrate on what he does best — rebound, defense, blocked shots and lob dunks.”