Dwight Howard can't say he learned much from Kobe

It was never a secret that Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard's relationship with Kobe Bryant during his tumultuous 2012-13 season with the Los Angeles Lakers was not amicable.

When asked if he had learned anything from The Black Mamba, who announced his impending retirement from basketball after the conclusion of this season, Howard could not seem to hide that things had gone sour between them.

"Did I learn something?" Howard said Sunday, after his Rockets came back to beat the New York Knicks in overtime at Madison Square Garden. "Oh man. Can we go on to the next question?"

But not all is bad blood between the former teammates, and Howard did praise the future Hall of Famer's career.

"Kobe, one of the greatest to ever play the game," he said. "He had an amazing career. It all comes to an end for all of us. Someone we all grew up watching, seeing him go from the Afro, to the changing of the number, to all that stuff, 81 points."

Howard also commended Bryant for helping to establish a precedent for other NBA high-school draftees, of which Howard himself is one.

"He had a very good career. He paved the way for so many players coming out of high school. His work ethic, everything he stands for on the court has been great."