Dwight Howard: Didn't leave because of Kobe, left 'for myself'

Nobody will ever know for certain why Dwight Howard left the Los Angeles Lakers for the Houston Rockets in 2013 except for Dwight Howard.

On Tuesday, ahead of the Rockets' 2014-15 season opener against the Lakers, Howard shot down any notion that he left L.A. because of Kobe Bryant. 

An ESPN report last week suggested that the Lakers have had trouble attracting and keeping star players because of Bryant, and strongly hinted that Howard left at least in part because of Bryant's personality. Lakers president Jeanie Buss then called anyone who didn't want to play with Bryant a loser, and head coach Bryan Scott questioned whether Howard was that serious about winning.

According to the All-Star big man, Bryant was not a determining factor in his decision.

"I didn't leave L.A. because I was afraid of Kobe Bryant," Howard said. "I went to a good situation for myself. I can't change people's opinions, but I did what I had to do for myself."

Howard's departure will always stand as a curious what-if, considering he left money on the table to do so. As Bryant's career winds down and the Lakers search for an heir apparent, it's hard not to think of a Lakers franchise with Howard at the reigns over the next two seasons.

Instead, Bryant heads up an aimless cast, while Howard will look to take the next step with a Rockets team that has a wide range of potential outcomes for the season.