Breaking Down Dwight Howard's Game and How It Impacts L.A. Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers added more than just another big name when they acquired Dwight Howard in an epic four-team deal.

He may not guarantee the organization another title, but you can rest assured he'll have a transformative impact on both ends of the floor. There's a reason this guy has thrice been named Defensive Player of the Year, and he's hardly a slouch with the ball in his hands.

But, how will his talent translate to the Purple and Gold? Will D12 remain the same force with whom to be reckoned that we've become so accustomed to?

That, and quite possibly more.

Nevertheless, Lakers fans should keep their expectations in perspective. Howard isn't an effective mid-range scorer and, in some respects, is more one-dimensional on the offensive end than Andrew Bynum.

Whereas Bynum had begun to cultivate a skilled post-up game, Howard relies on quickness, athleticism and explosiveness to get to the rim and finish strong or with a relatively limited arsenal of baby-hooks.

Fortunately, Los Angeles has guys who can spread the floor at the power forward position.

Pau Gasol thrives from the high post, and Antawn Jamison isn't much more than a three-point specialist at this point his career. Just as Ryan Anderson kept the floor spaced for Howard in Orlando, the Lakers' versatile 4s should similarly unclog the paint for Dwight.

Of course, Howard's former environs didn't include an especially adept playmaker, so his best days may be ahead.

The Lakers have two of them.

Steve Nash may still be the best facilitator in the league, and he could give Lob City something of an inferiority complex as he and Howard sync up. And, though Kobe Bryant has been a jump-shooting specialist of late, he still draws enough defensive attention to break down the opposition and create opportunities for his teammates.

The guy hasn't averaged 4.7 career assists by accident.

Though Howard doesn't excel at creating his own shots, he'll create havoc on account of the talent surrounding him. Between his strength and his hops, you can chalk up two points almost automatically when he gets hold of the ball within five feet of the basket.

Just hope the 59 percent free-throw shooter doesn't get fouled.

For all his offensive contributions, Howard could very well become the third option on this team. We know he won't be the first.

Before you mistake his offensive mortality for an argument against all the hype, remember that Howard is arguably the most dominant defensive presence in the league.

He led the league with 14.5 rebounds last season, so we know he can control the glass.

He controls just about everything else when his team is defending the basket.

Howard has averaged 2.2 blocks for his career, and he'll leave little doubt when swatting weak shots to Long Beach. He's even averaged 1.4 and 1.5 steals per game in his last two seasons, demonstrating ever more skill when disrupting plays in the painted area.

For his part, Bynum was a comparable shot-blocker and the league's third-best rebounder to boot. Is Howard really a step up?

Absolutely.

Howard's superior mobility allows him to better handle pick-and-roll situations and makes him a threat to step out and contest the increasingly popular floaters that more stationary centers can't get to.

Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook, beware.

The Lakers ranked just 15th in points allowed last season, and adding guys like Nash and Jamison wasn't going to change that (for the better, at least).

Adding Howard will.