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Phil Jackson has weighed in on Dwight Howard's decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson took to Twitter early Sunday and tweeted that Howard has left a "distaste in Lakerland" and that the franchise would be fine without him. He also said Pau Gasol would be a better fit now in Mike D'Antoni's offense.
Jackson went on to say Howard's game is about "power and [defense]" but did not show it due to injuries and "confusion". He then proceeded to call his next team the Astros -- not Rockets.
Before Howard began taking meetings with the five teams lobbying for his signature, Jackson had reached out to Howard on Twitter and told him he expected him to "be on board" with Los Angeles once he returned from his trip to Montana.
Jackson did not meet with Howard during his free agency bonanza and was not a part of the Lakers' group that met with the center on Tuesday.
Howard reportedly asked for Jackson to coach the Lakers "multiple times" last season, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Reflection on DHoward’s exodus. He left a distaste in Lakerland The Lakers will be fine. Pau fits MDA’s style of Off-it was about the future</p>— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilJackson11/statuses/353896426134179842">July 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>What DH brings to the game is power and D. This past year didn’t show due it to rehab and confusion. If he is better of an Astro, so be it.</p>— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilJackson11/statuses/353897223395876865">July 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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- Drew
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