Dwight Howard needs to impress the Lakers coming into the training camp as JaVale McGee isn’t backing down

Dwight Howard’s addition to the Lakers has been one of the biggest stories this offseason. And with preseason just around the corner, fans and analysts alike are curious what the pariah will bring on the table.

So far, Dwight Howard has been keeping in line and is set to start training camp this week. It’s still unclear, however, if the Lakers mean to start him at the five or if JaVale McGee will occupy the center position for the starting unit.

McGee himself is maintaining that he wants to be at the starting five and isn’t backing down from Dwight Howard. The center recently sat down with Spectrum SportsNet and gave his two cents about the whole situation, FadeAway World reported.

McGee and Dwight Howard to battle it out at training camp

“I started last year, so I wouldn’t expect anything less. But it’s definitely not up to me, it’s up to the coach, but I don’t plan on showing him anything other than that I’m the starting center for the Lakers,” McGee said. Dwight Howard is also looking to impress the organization coming into training camp.

The Lakers have gone all out this year as they plan to make a deep run into the Playoffs and snatch the title that they’ve been craving. Dwight Howard could help achieve that goal if he remains focus and not revert into his previous antics.

Dwight Howard could be the key to the Lakers success this season

The controversial center was poised to be one of the NBA greats, but due to a series of bad decisions, his career has spiraled down. Fortunately for Dwight Howard, the NBA gods aren’t done with him just yet and gave him one last chance to prove his mettle. And to do that, all he has to do is be a role player for the Lakers.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the offensive unit, Dwight Howard’s role is to protect the rim, snatch rebounds, block shots, and man the paint. He may get some dishes from James here and there, but overall, most of his work will revolve around defense.

Combining him with McGee could prove deadly, too, especially if James create enough space for both men to work their magic down the rim. Right now, Dwight Howard still needs to prove a lot of things on the court. However, Kobe Bryant said that his former teammate might have changed for the better and even went on to add that Howard is ready to give the Lakers the help they needed on the defensive end.