Dwight Howard Highlights Difficulties Guarding Kobe Bryant and LeBron James

Even though James had his best scoring run in those 2009 playoffs, it was not enough to surpass the Magic, who were overall superior as a team. Dwight Howard’s strategy helped stop the Cavs, and they moved on to the NBA Finals to face Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dwight Howard recalls being blown away by Kobe Bryant’s skills

Facing Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers was a different experience. Dwight Howard knew that game planning against the Black Mamba was not an easy task. He details how even his best defensive efforts went in vain.

We’re playing Kobe. The difference is he’s a tough 2-point shot maker. I remember he had a shot during one of the games where he jumped up. He was on the left block, he drove, and put the ball up. I jumped up to try to block it. He went between, pumped it, and then went back down and shot it again.

Dwight Howard said

The soon-to-be Hall of Famer mentioned that he was shocked at that move and wondered how Bryant could do that. Try as they might, Howard and his teammates could not stop or slow down the Lakers’ superstar.

Bryant was the top scorer in 4 out of the 5 games of the 2009 NBA Finals. He went on to clinch his 4th NBA title and his 1st Finals MVP award. Those performances are what made him one of the all-time greats.

Dwight Howard recalls eating with LeBron James and Redeem Team at Wendy’s

Dwight Howard was part of the 2008 Redeem Team. He had the privilege of playing alongside LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and a host of NBA superstars.

But that collection of stars stunned the sporting world when they stopped at a gas station and went into Wendy’s to fill their stomachs before taking a flight to China.

We was trying to find a place to stop. So we saw a gas station, and it ended up having a Wendy’s in it. I think we was in San Francisco. It’s crazy ’cause you gotta think we are all legends in a gas station sitting down at Wendy’s.

Dwight Howard said

The 39-year-old added that people at the gas station were stumped that some of the best basketball players in the world had settled down to eat at a Wendy’s.

All of that helped to improve team chemistry. The Redeem Team, dubbed as possibly the 2nd best basketball team ever assembled, went on to win gold at the 2008 Olympics.