Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant appeared to issue a challenge to Dwight Howard. With no timetable set for Bryant's return from injury, he remarked on the speculation that he will make his season debut on Nov. 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
On the eve of Howard's first game as a Rocket against the Lakers, Bryant seemingly issued a challenge to Howard.
"He was always very determined to be more of an offensive player and I think here in Houston he'll have that opportunity to do that," Bryant said, via ESPN. "He always wanted to compete with some of the all-time greats - the Chamberlains, the Shaqs, the Olajuwons and so forth. This year should be the year where he can start putting up those types of numbers - 25-26 points a game. That sort of thing."
Offense is the most questionable part of Howard's game. As of yet, he's proven himself unable to be the type of dominant, consistent scorer in the paint like Shaquille O'Neal was. Bryant appears to be saying something to Howard along the lines of, You left Los Angeles to be a star, now let's see you be a star.
Veiled challenge issued or not, Bryant did project Howard to have a big season.
"I think from what I've seen, it seems they really want to feature him even more," said Bryant. "It seems like they're posting him up even more. He sounds really determined to have even a more breakout year offensively than he's had in the past, which I think is great.
"I think he'll have a great year."
Byrant also commented on his tweet, which set off a firestorm of speculation that he'd make his return next week against the Grizzlies.
"I thought it was well thought out and very witty," Bryant said.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN explained the meaning of Bryant's cryptic posting:
"For the record, the hashtag #blackout refers to what Bryant terms the intense first stage of workouts he goes through every summer when vacation ends and it's time to get back into shape. The hashtag #bearhunt refers to a Jay Z lyric (from the song 'I'm On the Rock,' by Mavado) that Bryant has used for motivation during his comeback: 'If you see me in a fight with a bear, [pray] for the bear.'"
