Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard got into an altercation during Tuesday’s season opener.
Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard got into an altercation with former teammate and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant during the two teams season opener on Tuesday night.
Howard threw and landed an elbow on Bryant’s head after Bryant began to hound Howard after he corralled a rebound midway through the fourth quarter. The two players began jawing at each other, and Bryant told Howard “you’re soft.”
Howard was assessed a Flagrant One foul, Bryant picked up a personal foul, and both players were given technical fouls. Dwight Howard’s departure from Los Angeles in the summer of 2013 clearly illustrated his dislike for Bryant, but this skirmish strengthens that notion even more.
Both Howard and Bryant both had something to say about the skirmish after the game.
Dwight on his altercation with Kobe: “We won the game. It’s over. It’s basketball. I’m not even focused on it.”
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) October 29, 2014
Kobe said it was part of the game. About Dwight: “He elbowed me in the face, and I’m going to let him know I don’t like that.”
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) October 29, 2014
Kobe – elbows are part of the game – trash talk is part of the game – when did the NBA get so sensitive
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) October 29, 2014
You can’t help but like him – he’s like a teddy bear – – Kobe on Dwight
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) October 29, 2014
Howard’s team won the contest, thrashing the Lakers 108-90. Howard finished with 13 points (3-5 FG, 7-16 FT,) 11 rebounds and 1 block. Bryant finished with 19 points (6-17 FG,) 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Lakers and Rockets square off again on November 19th in Houston.
@BBallSociety