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“Why Life Is So Hard”: Dwight Howard Gets Emotional Thinking About His Son After Lakers Become Champions of the West

Published 09/27/2020, 12:30 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers triumphed the WCF and booked a ticket to the NBA finals for the first time in a decade. The locker room was filled with emotions after the Game 5 victory against the Nuggets. For Dwight Howard and his son, advancing to the finals means more than anything in this world. 

Dwight Howard has been lighting up the NBA Bubble with his antics both on and off the court. Howard is always a joyous personality to be around. But before the NBA’s restart, he endured a personal and tragic loss. 

Dwight has a six-year-old son, David, whose mother Melissa Rios passed away due to an epileptic seizure in March. Ever since, he found it extremely hard to cope with the loss and cheer up his little kid. 

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The player was skeptical about joining the Lakers in the bubble at first, but later agreed to play, which has given him a lot to cherish now. Moreover, he has his little son David with him in the bubble, who is extremely excited about his dad making it to the NBA Finals. 

USA Today via Reuters

Dwight Howard, just like any other Laker star, is running through a rollercoaster of emotions right now. The 34-year-old will make his second finals appearance in his career. Moreover, playing with a heavy heart in the bubble after enduring a tough loss is indeed inspiring. 

Dwight Howard got emotional in his media appearance after the Lakers won Game 5

Following the Game 5 victory, the Lakers big man sat down with the media, where he was asked to reflect on the mindset of his son and how much this victory means to him. “I think it will mean the world to him. He’ll never forget this moment and neither will I,” Howard said. 

The 3x DPOY then informed how he guided his son past a tough time by setting an example. “He said it’s the worst year of his life and he asked why life is so hard. And I didn’t know how to really answer that for him. Now I just try to be the right example for his every single day, on the court and off the court.

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“He pushes me the best I could be so I’m thankful that we had this opportunity together despite everything that’s happened in his young life. Just to make this moment special for him.”

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Dwight Howard is back in the finals for the first time since 2009. His team are the favorites to win it this year, but Howard is not willing to take any chances. The former Magic star is determined to give it everything he’s got. 

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“I promised myself if I ever got a chance to get back, I would give it everything I’ve got. I’m exhausted,Howard divulged

The Lakers are now just a series win away from becoming the 2020 NBA champions. It almost seems like destiny for the purple and gold. But they just have to hold on and get past the Eastern Conference Champions to claim all the honors.

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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