Dwight Howard Isn't Concerned About Quick Transition After Lakers Run

After making a championship run with the Lakers last season, Dwight Howard is ready to roll.

Most NBA players and teams weren't opposed to the idea of starting the 2020-2021 season in late December. After all, a handful of squads haven't played since the league went on a hiatus back in March.

As expected, there was some pushback elsewhere, though. After all, teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat just wrapped up a playoff run back in mid-October. Now, in a little over two months, those teams and players will take the court once again to kick off next season.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Dwight Howard was a part of the Los Angeles Lakers' championship run last season. Now, he's ready to take on another season in the NBA as a member of the Sixers, who haven't played since August.

One might think Howard could be frustrated with the turnaround into next season, but the 34-year-old center made it clear he's ready to roll no matter what after being asked if he has any concerns regarding the short break.

"Are there any concerns?" Howard asked himself. "No, sir. I'm trying to keep myself in pretty good shape to get ready for this season. I wasn't expecting to start so early but I'll be ready. The main thing is just being there for the young fellas and trying to help them out right now."

Being that this year's offseason is unlike any other, Howard admitted he had to do things slightly different as expected. Despite the drastic change, though, the veteran center doesn't believe his body won't be able to handle the sudden start.

"I did [have to make changes this offseason]," Howard said. "It felt like we just finished playing. So, I tried to take some time off, you know, and get off my feet. But I just got the urge to be back in the gym and get back on the floor and try to get another championship."

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA