Perhaps the least unexpected occurrence in the Rockets-Lakers opening night game — aside from the outcome — was former teammates Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard engaging in a little slap fight and exchange of words midway through the fourth quarter of a Rockets’ blowout. Kobe decided to antagonize his former Lakers teammate by harassing him on a rebound, and the resulting dust-up led to a personal foul on Kobe, a flagrant on Dwight, and double-technicals. During the exchange, Kobe could clearly be seen yelling “try me” at Dwight. After things settled down a bit, Kobe was then seen calling Dwight “soft”.
GIF: Kobe Bryant to Dwight Howard after tussle: “Try Me” http://t.co/YIFFOSBTkf
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 29, 2014
GIF: Kobe Bryant to Dwight Howard after tussle: “soft” http://t.co/qcydRZ0rIT — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 29, 2014
Obviously, Kobe holds a lot of resentment for Howard, who spent one topsy-turvy season in LA as part of the four-headed Steve Nash-Dwight-Kobe-Pau Gasol monster that crashed and burned in a flurry of injuries and great expectations. Kobe only played six games last season after returning from an Achilles injury, none of which were against Howard, who had moved on to Houston in the off season. Thus, Tuesday night was Kobe’s first chance to go at him on the court in a meaningful game.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Kobe had no apologies over the incident:
Kobe on scuffle with DH: “I think it’s fantastic. Trash-talking is part of the game. I don’t know where the NBA became so sensitive.”
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 29, 2014
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