Dwight Howard, Xbox provide Lakers-themed gaming space to Boys & Girls Club in L.A.
Playing video games is such an integral part of most upbringing, but not all children are afforded the luxury of spending their evenings trying to beat the final boss. In an effort to bring the joy of gaming to everyone, Xbox and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard teamed up to remodel part of the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley and transform the program’s new Dream Space into a Lakers gaming oasis.
The makeover includes revamping what was a multipurpose room into a technology-advanced gaming lab fit for 20 students. It wouldn't be a Lakers-inspired space without some purple and gold, so the Xbox Series S consoles, gaming PCs, screens and more are splashed with the team's official colors and logos.
After the children were surprised with the transformed room, they were greeted by Howard for some friendly competition with the 2020 NBA Finals champion.
"Kids are so innocent," Howard told Yahoo Sports. "They have so many things they wonder and think about daily, and when hearing their perspective on life, it definitely inspires me and motivates me to continue to push forward with basketball and give it my all."
Howard joked that while he'd like to let the kids beat him in gaming, he knows his pride wouldn't allow him to, especially since the youngsters wouldn't let up on the bragging.
"Call of Duty is my favorite game. So, I can't let them win at that. But you know, you do have to let the kids win, but I don't know," the 36-year-old said with a laugh.
For two decades, Microsoft has worked alongside the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to positively change the lives of adolescents by providing access to the latest technology, computer science resources, software and Xbox consoles valued at through more than $150 million.
On the Lakers: 'You have to take the good with the bad'
At ninth in the Western Conference, the Lakers are in line for a play-in tournament spot two years removed from an NBA Finals championship.
The setbacks have been apparent, but Howard isn't letting the negativity affect his main objective, which is continuous improvement.
"I just think you have to take the good with the bad. When you pray for rain, you gotta be able to take the mud that comes with it," Howard told Yahoo Sports. "It's always gonna be some criticism when you're trying to do something great. But you gotta continue and believe what your goal is and not allow the negativity or the bad commentary to force you to stop doing what you're doing.
"As for myself, as long as I'm happy, as long as I wake up every day, then that's all that matters. You know, life is the most important thing. It's the thing that I value the most."
The Lakers will try to snap a four-game skid when they face off against the Golden State Warriors in a prime-time showdown Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
