Dwight Howard Recalls Kobe Bryant’s Throwaway Tip That Changed His Game
Dwight Howard said a phone call with Kobe Bryant after the 2009 NBA Finals helped reshape his offensive approach — a quick exchange that led Howard to add a face-up jumper and embrace a legendary work ethic that he credits with immediate results.
The call that followed a Finals loss
Howard revisited the conversation in a recent interview, describing how he reached out to Kobe after his team fell in the 2009 Finals. He said the chat was straightforward: Kobe praised Howard’s interior dominance but suggested a single improvement that could elevate his scoring, telling him to develop a free-throw-line, face-up jump shot to complement his post game.
“How many should I do?” — the work ethic message
When Howard pressed for specifics on how to build that shot, the answer was simple and stark: Kobe told him he took a thousand shots a day. That glimpse into Kobe’s preparation was less a technical lesson than an ethos — relentless repetition. Howard said he adopted that mindset and commitment, and the results followed quickly.
Immediate impact on the court
Howard’s adjustment translated into improved efficiency. The season after that offseason of work, he led the league in field-goal percentage. While his size and athleticism had always made him a force inside, adding a more reliable face-up ability made him harder to guard and diversified his scoring options.
From rivals to teammates — and beyond
Their relationship later moved through friction and reconciliation. Howard recalled tense moments with Bryant in subsequent years, including an on-court clash, but those episodes did not erase the respect between the two. Howard described a later interaction in which Kobe tapped him on the head before a game and said, “I’m proud of you, ” a brief gesture that underlined the complicated mentorship that developed between them.
Howard still offers bold takes on today’s league
Now retired from the role of perennial contender, Howard remains an outspoken voice in the NBA conversation. He has lately made headlines for quips about championship hopes around the league and for urging star players to return from injury when teams need them most. Those comments underscore how his perspective blends veteran candor with the same competitive spirit Kobe instilled in him.
Legacy and lessons
Howard’s story is a reminder that small conversations can have outsized impacts. A single tip — paired with disciplined repetition — changed not only one part of his game but also the arc of a season. More broadly, Howard’s recollection adds to the many personal stories about Kobe’s influence, showing how mentorship and relentless work can reshape a player’s career long after a Finals defeat.
