Lakers' Howard has no regrets about Orlando events
Dwight Howard, who was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, said he doesn't have any regrets about the series of events that occurred during the past year.
"I think everything happened the way that it was meant to happen," Howard said in interview that aired Sunday on ESPN. "I really just wish some of the lies and some of the things being said didn't come out the way it did, you know.
"But I have an opportunity to do something great here in L.A, and I can't look back and think about everything that's behind me."
Howard was acquired by the Lakers in a four-team trade in July. The deal ended a soap opera that last nearly a year as he wavered in his commitment to the Magic. It also cost the job of Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, after Howard picked up his contract player option for the upcoming season.
"... it was a tug of war between my feelings and the fans and everybody else and their feelings and what happened to LeBron," said Howard, alluding to LeBron James' nationally televised decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. "And I saw him -- everybody hated him for leaving Cleveland and what he did."
Howard had back surgery in April, a procedure that sideline him from the NBA playoffs and a spot with the U.S. Olympic team. The Lakers announced this week they don't expect him to be recovered in time to report to training camp next month.
"I never wanted anybody to hate me, you know. I wanted everybody to love me, you know, like me, for sticking around and doing what they wanted me to do. And making everybody else happy. And that was a valuable lesson for me, you know. I can't make everybody happy."
