Dwight Howard fires his Business Manager, Kevin Samples

Dwight Howard is changing a lot this year in L.A. In addition to admitting that playing with Kobe Bryant has made him a better professional, Dwight has begun to take hold of the business side as well. Howard has decided to move on from his business manager, Kevin Samples. Samples has been Howard’s consistent advisor for his nine years in the NBA.

“We had nine great years together, just time to go separate ways.”

“I know what I want to accomplish,” Howard said. “I’ve always written down my goals and everything I want, and I want to make sure I get ‘em. Everything I’ve lost, everything that’s gone away, I’m going to get it back.”

Samples is Howard’s cousin and was sent to live with him in Orlando following the 2004 draft. Dwight is also getting a glimpse, of what life on the court is like without Kobe. Bryant is still nursing his sprained ankle he suffered against the Hawks last week.

The Lakers lost the second night of a back to back to the Phoenix Suns Monday. They’re an older team. Playing three games in 4 nights coupled with coming off a road trip, this loss seemed likely. The Jazz helped the Lakers hold onto the eighth seed by losing to the Knicks. The Knicks get to head home with a 1-4 record at the end of a disastrous road trip. You have to focus on the bright side, right?