Former NBA star Dwight Howard has candidly revealed that he holds LeBron James responsible for his exit from the Los Angeles Lakers after their championship success in 2020. During an episode of his podcast, "Above The Rim with DH 12," Howard recounted a moment of tension between himself and James, which he believes contributed to his departure from the team.

Howard's reflection centers on a specific incident during the 2019-20 season when he reportedly used vulgar language towards James during a defensive play. He recalled telling James, “Yo, stop acting like a b----, man,” which he believes led to friction between them. This verbal exchange occurred shortly after the Lakers won the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in the COVID-19 pandemic-affected bubble in Orlando. Howard claimed that this moment of conflict played a significant role in the Lakers' decision not to bring him back for the following season.

Despite being a key contributor to the Lakers' championship run, Howard did not remain with the team and went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers the next year. He later returned to the Lakers for the 2021-22 season but has not played in the NBA since then, having spent the 2022-23 season competing in Taiwan. Howard's comments highlight the complexities of team dynamics, especially in high-pressure environments like the NBA.