Dwight Howard cleared to participate in full contact practice with the Los Angeles Lakers – NBA News
In a welcome news for the Los Angeles Lakers, superstar centre Dwight Howard has been cleared by team doctors to participate in full contact 5 on 5 scrimmages with the team. The news comes as the latest development in Howard’s
recovery process from a back surgery he underwent a few months ago. However, he has not been cleared to participate in an NBA game and hence will sit out the Lakers preseason fixture against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“The doctor told him his wasn't as bad as mine. The biggest thing is not to rush anything and just take his time,” said Howard when asked to compare Jordan Hill’s herniated back injury to his.
There is still no timeline on Howard’s return as he continues to make a step wise recovery from a very serious surgery that had him rehabbing all summer long. It is unclear if Howard will be able to play any preseason game with
the Lakers, which could have gone a long way in developing chemistry between this new look roster ahead of the upcoming season. After playing Portland on Wednesday night, the Lakers will have six more preseason games before they open their season on October
30th.
With the injury to Jordan Hill, the Lakers will have to rethink their starting five till the time Howard returns to the NBA court. Hill has been sidelined for the foreseeable future but head coach Mike Brown said that he was not
worried about the starting five for Wednesday night as he has plenty of options available and will make a final decision later. Brown will likely play Pau Gasol, Antawn Jamison and Earl Clark in the front court for most of the game on Wednesday.
“We've got 20 guys in camp. We've got plenty of bodies tomorrow,” said Brown.
The Lakers are slowly and steadily getting back to the point where they would ideally like to be, which is when Howard returns to the line-up to complete the starting five and the team can play some games together to get a better
understanding of each other and play out the new Princeton offence they are looking to employ next season.
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