AceShowbiz - NBA star Dwight Howard recently opened up about his departure from Los Angeles Lakers. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year recalled on his podcast "Above the Rim with DH12" a heated on-court exchange with then-teammate LeBron James during the 2019-20 season that led to his subsequent exit from the team.

During a conversation with former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, Howard recounted the incident where he called James a B-word. "I said that, and I got kicked off the Lakers," he told Chalmers.

The friction happened when Howard urged James to hustle back on defense during a game, a suggestion that didn't sit well with the Lakers superstar. Howard detailed, "It happened on defense. I was like, 'Yo, you gotta get back.' And [LeBron] got mad because I said something. And I was like, 'Yo, stop acting like a b****, man.' "

Howard's history with the Lakers dates back to the 2012-13 season, which ended contentiously, leading to his departure. He returned in the 2019-20 season and played a pivotal role in securing the Lakers' 17th NBA championship.

Despite his significant contributions, Howard was not brought back after the championship run and moved on to join the Philadelphia 76ers the following season before returning to the Lakers for the 2021-22 season. That stint marked his final appearance in the NBA before heading overseas.

James has not publicly responded to Howard's allegations. It remains to be seen whether these revelations will reignite past tensions or be considered another "what-if" scenario in NBA history. One thing is certain: Dwight Howard isn't done telling his side of the story, and his podcast continues to shine a light on his perspective.

In other news, the current Lakers squad, led by LeBron James, is a formidable contender for the NBA championship this season. They currently rank third in the Western Conference, just behind the Denver Nuggets who hold the second spot.