Jameer Nelson Just when Dwight Howard breaks through with the Lakers, the All-Star center faces a backlash from the teammates he left behind.
Despite a stellar outing against the Hornets in the Lakers' comeback win Sunday, Howard had a fresh controversy waiting for him at his locker thanks to comments he made to KCAL-TV earlier in the week. While discussing his eight years with the Magic, Howard said, "My team in Orlando was a team full of people who nobody wanted, and I was the leader and I led that team with a smile on my face."
Want to guess who hates being called a person "nobody wanted"? Everybody.
Howard's former teammates learned of the comments in short order and shot back at the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
"At some point, when are you [Dwight] gonna as a man, when are you going to take ownership and stay out of the media in a professional manner?" Magic point guard Jameer Nelson told theOrlando Sentinel on Wednesday.
MORE: Phil Jackson sends Dwight Howard his support
LAKERS: Jerry West breaks down Los Angeles' problems
Former Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick echoed those sentiments.
"I'm not surprised by it," Redick, now with the Milwaukee Bucks, told ESPNLosAngeles.com on Wednesday. "I would be more surprised when Dwight starts taking responsibility. That would be the most negative thing I can say, but that's the truth.
"You can't take all the credit and not accept any of the blame."
Howard recognized the media maelstrom he created and quickly backpedaled, saying his words were misinterpreted.
"My statement was just to say that our team that I played with in Orlando, we were the underdogs," Howard said, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Nobody really talked about our team. It was underrated. Everybody overlooked us for the whole time I was there in Orlando and I hated that. We all hated that. We thrived off that. My comments were never to say anything disrespectful to those guys."
Howard can claim his words were manipulated, but Nelson and Redick suggested that his comments are not out of character. And former Magic forward Rashard Lewis and former Magic general manager Otis Smith both scolded Howard for his comments, as well.
Regardless of the truth to Howard's statement, lobbing grenades at a group that made the 2009 NBA Finals is unbecoming for a player who had such a nasty divorce from the team that drafted him. And the comments aren't likely to fade away with Howard's first return trip to Orlando looming on March 12.
PHOTOS: DWIGHT HOWARD'S STRANGE TRIP TO LAKER LAND 
Dwight Howard's travails as a Los Angeles Laker have become the story of the season. But how did he get here? Flip through for the making of a star.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard was the top player in the country his senior season at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.
Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard won Gatorade National Player of the Year his senior season.
Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
When Howard was picked No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic out of high school, he still had braces.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard had veteran teammates to guide him as a rookie, as Grant Hill does here Oct. 6, 2004, during a preseason practice.
John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard, particularly early in his career, was criticized for his lack of finesse on the offense end. Here, he bulldozes past Hawks center Jason Collier as a rookie Nov. 26, 2004.
Gregory Smith, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard was drawing regular double-teams by his second season in the NBA.
Julie Jacobson, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard developed his rebounding skill at an early age, averaging a double-double as a 19-year-old rookie. He led the NBA in rebounds per game four times in his final five seasons with the Magic.
Eric Gay, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard shows off his headphones during part of the Team USA tour before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
Samantha Sin, AFP/Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard made his Team USA major-competition debut during the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.
Mark J. Terrill, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard and company brought home the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japana.
Mark J. Terrill, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the 2007 All-Star Game, which drew attention and led to him being voted in as a starter every season since.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Before being beset by injuries in recent seasons, Howard was one of the most reliable big men in the NBA. He played all 82 games in each of his first four seasons and only missed seven in his first seven combined.
Paul Connors, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard worked with Magic assistant Patrick Ewing for years on his post skills and defense.
Todd A. Anderson, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's Superman-themed dunk during the 2008 dunk contest won him the title and remains one of the most iconic moments in contest history.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard played with current Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his only Olympic gold medal.
Greg Pearson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard reportedly had a $7.8 million home in Orlando.
Preston C. Mack, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard brought back out his Superman cape for the 2009 dunk contest, only to allow Nate Robinson to leap over him for a dunk that sealed Robinson's victory.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's 6-11, 270-pound frame combined with his spectacular athleticism makes him nearly impossible to defend.
Michael Perez, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard and Jameer Nelson watch as the Magic lose Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to the Lakers. Orlando lost twice in overtime during the five-game series.
John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's marketability hinges on his incredible physique and fun personality, shown as he flexes with tennis star Venus Williams.
EA Sports, via Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Fouling Howard has long been an ideal defensive strategy because he can't shoot free throws well.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard is among the NBA's best shot-blockers, leading the NBA in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He won defensive player of the year honors both of those seasons and in 2010-11.
Charles Krupa, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
In Orlando, Howard was the smiling face of the franchise for eight seasons.
Scott A. Miller, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Shaquille O'Neal didn't shown much respect to Howard as a player and still doesn't as an analyst. Both were No. 1 picks by the Magic who then went to the Lakers, both centers known for their strength and athleticism, both Superman enthusiasts.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
The Magic brought back Hedo Turkoglu in 2011 with hopes of keeping Howard, but they never quite found the same page they had been on during their five seasons together from 2004 through 2009.
Chuck Burton, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's last season in Orlando was full of frustration, vented at his balky back, his mediocre teammates, franchise executives and more.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy didn't see eye-to-eye on many issues, and both ended up getting booted from the Magic in the 2012 offseason. Michael Perez, AP
