Dwight Howard Trade: The (early) End of an Era?

Does this pair make the Lakers title favorites again?

For most fans, the 2012 NBA Finals seemed like a primer for the next decade. It really started to look like the 2010’s were going to be the era of Durant vs. LeBron, much like the 80’s were dominated by Bird vs. Magic. Unlike the 80's, though, this era was going to have a definitive hero (Durant's Thunder) and villain (LeBron's Heat). It was going to be awesome. And then Dwight Howard screwed it up for everyone.

As I’m sure you know by now, Howard was traded from the Magic to the Lakers this weekend, in a deal that all but ensures the Lakers will be sniffing around the Finals for the next couple years. Somehow, Los Angeles managed to pry one of the 5 best players in the league from Orlando without giving up Pau Gasol (boy, did the Magic ever get fleeced), and gave themselves a starting lineup that looks like a fantasy draft circa 2009. While some of the Lakers’ new starters are certainly past their prime—pretty much everyone other than Dwight—this move puts them on par with the Thunder at the top of the West.

Outside of mediocre Kobe Bryant impressions (apparently lowering your voice and saying “you know” a lot is hilarious, according to the LA media), Dwight brings 2 major changes to the culture in LA:

Dwight had the room in stitches with his "Kobe impression"

1.     The Lakers now have the best defender in the NBA, meaning that Kobe can save his legs a little on the defensive end, and ensuring that Steve Nash doesn’t have to learn how to defend in the first place.

2.     The Lakers now have a dominant low-post force, completely changing their offensive identity. Dwight’s presence helps Pau (as he can now run high-screens, and doesn’t have to be a tough under-the-rim presence), Nash (he can just lob the ball within 5 feet of the rim and feel comfortable it will be thrown down), Metta World Peace (he can now set the record for wide-open corner threes made in a single season), and possibly even Kobe (he can take pressure off of his offensive game—if he wants to).

To recap, the Lakers got one of the 5 best players in the game, undoubtedly upgraded at the center position, definitely upgraded their team defense, and probably upgraded their offensive sets as well. All in one move. And they already were in the Western Conference Finals last year. Yikes.

I recently had a discussion-turned-heated-argument about the trade with a buddy of mine (yes, multiple pints were the catalyst that brought the pleasant conversation into argument territory). His big concern with the move was that he didn’t think Kobe would be willing to give up shots, or give up any of his “go-to-guy”-ness. To me, that’s a non-issue.

Firstly, Dwight doesn’t create his own shots very well. Thus, Kobe won’t have to give up any crunch time looks. He’s still Kobe Bryant, so he’s still the de facto Man in Los Angeles.

Secondly, if you think Kobe’s ego will get in the way to muck this situation up, think about this: it seems obvious that, at this point in his career, Kobe wants to be thought of as one of the best of all time. So why wouldn’t he buy-in to the Dwight Howard remodel, since Dwight’s presence dramatically increases his shot at a title? Granted, Kobe may get a few less shots off in 2012-13 with Dwight on the scene. But if you think Kobe is going to let shot distribution hijack his quest for championships, you’re crazy. At this point, Kobe is far more concerned with rings than numbers.

Even if the Lakers don’t figure it out completely this coming year, they are now in a position to be in the hunt for the foreseeable future. At their best, these Lakers could dominate the West for a few years, and win a string of championships. If nothing else, they should at least manage to complicate the Durant vs. LeBron narrative for the next couple years.