Pending Dwight Howard Decision Is Anything But 'Mamba Mentality'

It would be an exaggeration to suggest the world is waiting with bated breath for Lakers center Dwight Howard to announce whether he’ll join his teammates inside the Orlando Bubble. 

But those of us who loved Kobe Bryant are interested in the decision D12 will reportedly make within the next 24 hours.

After the tragic death of the Black Mamba, Howard told the basketball world that he was adopting a Mamba Mentality for the rest of the season. Well, I think we all know What Mamba Would Do with a potential NBA title as a reward for joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis at Disney World. 

What will Dwight Howard do is anybody’s guess. 

Howard’s reputation before this season was that of an underachieving flake. His NBA career began with tremendous promise. The number one pick of the 2004 draft led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2008 and appeared to be the second coming of Moses Malone mixed with a dash of Bill Russell.

But since then, Howard’s been known for fathering illegitimate kids, bad free-throw shooting, an ugly spat with his Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, a failed pairing with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, injuries, soft play and being discarded by the Rockets, Hawks, Hornets and Wizards. 

Desperation forced the Lakers to toss Howard a life line this season. It was all going very well. Howard was a reliable piece off the bench, the Lakers had the best record in the Western Conference and the mainstream media that loved to ridicule Howard started telling a more sympathetic story. 

Only vintage Dwight Howard could blow this comeback story. If he chooses not to report to Orlando, especially after claiming a Mamba Mentality, he’ll likely be savaged by the LeBron-worshipping media.

D12 should report to Disney World and claim he hurt his back riding Space Mountain.