To say the Lakers’ season ended in heartbreak would be an understatement. In a year where expectations ran sky-high, the team’s sudden exit from the playoffs left fans stunned and critics shaking their heads. This wasn’t just a team falling short—it was a supposed title contender collapsing when it mattered most. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge, many had them pegged for a deep postseason run. Instead, they’re heading into the offseason with more questions than answers.
LA’s pro hoops scene has suffered: Lakers, Clippers, Sparks—all fell short. That’s three basketball teams in LA—and zero championships. But enter Dwight Howard, who’s not giving up on the city just yet. Interestingly, Howard recently took to Instagram with a bold message of hope. The former Lakers big man, now suiting up for the Los Angeles Riot in BIG3 for what’s set to be his final season of pro basketball, wrote, “Don’t worry we bringing another chip to LA and this go around will be even more LEGENDARY .” It was the kind of promise fans wanted to hear, but not everyone’s buying what Dwight is selling.
Right on cue, former Warriors and Clippers forward Stephen Jackson dropped a cold dose of reality in the comments: “Not this yr big fella. I see what yall tried to do. Ain’t enough.” Jackson’s taunt carried extra weight given his own LA ties and back‑to‑back BIG3 crowns in 2021 and 2022. Dwight, never one to shy away, clapped back with, “More than ENOUGH .” The tension? Very real. And Jackson’s history with LA — especially his Clippers ties — makes this more than just harmless trash talk.
More so, Jackson’s no stranger to winning himself. As head coach of the DMV Trilogy in the BIG3, he led the squad to back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. He’s done damage in that league both as a player and a coach. And with the 2025 BIG3 season kicking off on June 14, all eyes will be locked in. Will Howard live up to the hype?
Peers question Dwight Howard’s BIG3 move
While most ex-NBA stars ease into retirement with a quiet farewell, Dwight Howard’s path has been anything but subtle. From putting on a show in Taiwan with the Taoyuan Leopards to suiting up briefly for the Mavericks in The Basketball Tournament—and even landing on a Puerto Rican league roster he never played for—Dwight’s post-NBA chapter has been a wild ride. And now, he’s stepping into the BIG3, ready to stir things up once again.
Skeptics abound—will Howard channel “Superman” or go full “showman”? On the Club 520 Podcast, Jeff Teague didn’t hold back, saying, “I just want to know if he’s going, if he’s playing for real or if Dwight Howard going to be shooting threes and sh-t… I need you to score all the points.” It’s a valid question—are fans getting the dominant “Superman” from his prime or the laid-back showman from his overseas stint?
Still, Teague gave him props where they’re due. “It’s Christmas out there with Dwight… He’s going to average, he’s going to be the MVP of the league,” he added. That is, if Dwight takes the game seriously. The potential? No doubt. The effort? We’ll soon find out. BIG3’s 2025 season tips off June 14 on CBS and Paramount+ with 11 weeks of 3-on‑3 action, featuring heavyweights like Kemba Walker and Calvin Murphy as fellow debutants and coaches. With venues across major U.S. cities, the league has become a proving ground for former NBA stars seeking one last competitive arena
Howard’s recent Instagram pledge suggests he’s dialed into the challenge. The 39-year-old posted, “I am extremely excited to be joining @thebig3 can’t wait to show yall the REAL Dwight from SACA .” Howard’s reference to SACA—Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy—echoes his prep school dominance, where he averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 8 blocks, leading SACA to a 31–2 record and a 2004 state title. That pedigree underpins the expectation: the “REAL Dwight” isn’t just a social‑media slogan but a reminder of a true generational talent.
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