NBA Lakers Rumors & Predictions: Will Dwight Howard Win Defensive Award in Los Angeles?

Among the latest NBA Lakers rumors and predictions for 2012 comes speculation that big man Dwight Howard will nab another Defensive Player of the Year award due to his intimidating presence down low. However, this time he'll do it for Los Angeles rather than Orlando, but will it lead him and his new team to an NBA Championship, or be merely an individual accolade for D-Howard?

In previous Lakers gossip, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat called Los Angeles the title favorites for the 2012-13 NBA season. Bosh may have been playing mind games, trying to make his opposition think they were the best, or he could have been agreeing with many others who have LA as the best team (on paper) heading into the upcoming season. Either way, it's not surprising so many people favor this team, now that they not only have Kobe Bryant, but also superstar point guard Steve Nash, and superstar center Dwight Howard.

With Howard comes an added boost to the Lakers' frontline and defense that they haven't had since a guy named Shaquille O'Neal was in town playing the position. Even so, during Shaq's career he never won the award, but placed on the second team three times. As for Howard, he's won the award itself three times in a row, and been on the first team four times in a row.

With that comes the questions as to whether or not he'll make the first All Defensive Team for his fifth straight year, and if he'll win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for his fourth time. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace have each achieved that accolade of winning the award four times in their careers, so will Howard join them this year, and then surpass them the year after.

One thing to keep in mind is that Tyson Chandler is the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year after joining the NY Knicks for the 2011-12 campaign. Now Howard has shifted to a new team with the LA Lakers. A recent predictions article from Bleacher Report speculates that Howard is "just hitting his prime" and will indeed win the award yet again. The writer also believes Howard could become the first player since Dennis Rodman back in 1997 to notch 16 rebounds per game.

Howard is only 26 right now, and that's the scary part. Joining forces with Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant will only help increase his stats. If Kobe is taking a lot of shots, but not hitting, Howard's there for the boards. He's also there on the other end, should opposing teams try to drive the lane and put up a soft layup attempt. Howard will send the ball towards Jack Nicholson, to the former Joker's delight.

Some may argue that Howard will have some adjustments to make now that he's in a new town, with a new team. However, it seems Los Angeles is his place to rule and excel. He doesn't necessarily have to be averaging 20 points a game, although he can, and Kobe can still get his. If Howard focuses on playing the roles of rebounding, getting inside the paint to score or get fouled, and keeping the lane safe on the other end, he should have big numbers for the season. Seeing Howard gain another NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is not hard to see happening again.

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