In the loss to the Thunder, Howard took seven shots From the things-that-make-you-go-hmmm department: Dwight Howard and Phil Jackson are texting buddies, according to the Los Angeles Lakers center.
Howard, who is still not himself physically after having back surgery in April, told reporters after the Lakers' loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night that the former Lakers coach has been sending his support via text message. It could be nothing more than a genuine sign of sympathy from a fellow big man who has spent more than his share of time suffering through physical ailments, but the fact that Howard shared it publicly is enough to make you wonder what it means.
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Bear in mind, Howard is known to have been in favor of a Jackson reunion in Los Angeles before the team made the surprising decision to go with Mike D'Antoni in the 11th hour on Nov. 12. If anyone knew how to incorporate Howard with Kobe Bryant in the most harmonious way possible like he always tried to so many years ago with Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, it was Jackson.
What's more, the coach who was chosen over Jackson has struggled in that realm largely because Bryant and his five championship trophies carry so much influence in Laker Land that getting him to change, to realize the importance of consistently sharing the offensive wealth, is the tallest of tasks. The loss against the Thunder was the latest example, as Bryant battled through his right elbow stinger to take a team-high 19 shots (for 30 points) while Howard took just seven shots and had just one touch of any significance in the entire second half (he was fouled by Reggie Jackson and made one of two free throws). The Lakers fell to 30-31 and are now 2 1/2 games out of playoff position in the Western Conference with 21 games to go.
This may or may not be relevant context to the revelation that Howard and Jackson are texting pals. But as TNT analyst and former point guard/Phoenix Suns executive Steve Kerr said in our recent chat about this always-interesting team, it's always an interpretative dance when it comes to this discussion.
"I don't think (the Lakers season) has really been overly dramatized by the media," Kerr said last week. "I think there's been genuine intrigue and storylines, with the coaching changes and Dwight and Kobe often speaking through the media in sort of coded phrases. It's been really strange just to watch the whole thing unfold."
This, then, is merely the latest oddity.
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.
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When Howard was picked No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic out of high school, he still had braces.
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Howard had veteran teammates to guide him as a rookie, as Grant Hill does here Oct. 6, 2004, during a preseason practice.
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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.
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Howard was drawing regular double-teams by his second season in the NBA.
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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.
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Howard shows off his headphones during part of the Team USA tour before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
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Howard made his Team USA major-competition debut during the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.
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Howard and company brought home the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japana.
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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.
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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.
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Howard played with current Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his only Olympic gold medal.
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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.
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Howard's 6-11, 270-pound frame combined with his spectacular athleticism makes him nearly impossible to defend.
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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.
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Howard's marketability hinges on his incredible physique and fun personality, shown as he flexes with tennis star Venus Williams.
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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.
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In Orlando, Howard was the smiling face of the franchise for eight seasons.
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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.
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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.
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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
