Dwight Howard vents about facing constant rejection from NBA teams to DeMarcus Cousins
Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins’ last seasons in the NBA happened two years ago. Howard played for the LA Lakers during the 2021-22 season before taking his talents to Taiwan. It looked like the three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner was at least a serviceable backup big man when he couldn’t get a contract.
Meanwhile, Cousins went to Puerto Rico to play for the Mets de Guaynabo. The bruising center led his team to the semi-finals but could not finish the job after suffering an injury in the finals. After one tournament, “Boogie” heeded Howard’s advice and packed his bags for Taiwan.
The two former NBA stars are now teammates playing for the Taiwan Mustangs. Quinn Cook, one of their former LA Lakers teammates, is also on the team competing in "The Asian Tournament."
On the “Above the Rim with DH12” podcast, Dwight Howard had this to say about how his NBA career ended:
“I spent the last two years trying to figure that out, just getting the same runaround. ‘Oh, you know, we like you but you might be overqualified. Are you overqualified for a job?
DeMarcus Cousins concluded that “politics” was the reason he and Howard were no longer in the NBA. When Dwight Howard talked about them getting the “overqualified” reason, Cousins exploded:
“What the f**k does that mean?”
Former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers once opened up about being asked by Cousins about why he is no longer in the NBA. Myers told him that the reason he could not get an offer was “because people are afraid of how you’re going to act.”
DeMarcus Cousins, who is hot-tempered, had several run-ins with officials during his days in the NBA. The former Denver Nuggets center was also charged with a domestic violence charge that was eventually dismissed.
Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins claim Jaylen Brown isn’t in the Olympics because of politics
The biggest storyline heading into Team USA’s Olympic campaign was Kawhi Leonard deciding to pull out to continue getting healthy for next season. Grant Hill, the team’s managing director selected Derrick White when most thought that he would get Jaylen Brown the reigning NBA Finals MVP.
Brown went on social media to throw shade at Nike, the team’s sponsor, for influencing Hill’s decision.
DeMarcus Cousins had this to say about the All-Star guard's situation:
(1:02:20 mark)
“I think the Nike situation plays into that but it’s even bigger than that. If you actually know Jaylen Brown and know what he represents and how he carries himself, they don’t like that s**t. It’s something that’s never really spoken on but they want a guy that’s falling in line.”
Dwight Howard added:
“Learn that now or learn it the hard way. Beat that s**t to yourself, boy. I’m trying to be Black Panther, but my a** sitting right here in Taiwan. I love Taiwan, but damn!”
The two former LA Lakers teammates expressed their thoughts but their situation isn't likely to change. Many, though, will probably be convinced by what they said.