Dwight Howard is once again at the center of controversy, as his ex-partner Royce Reed recently made explosive claims during her appearance on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast. Reed alleged that Howard attempted to manipulate their son, Braylon, by painting LeBron James in a negative light, particularly regarding his reaction to the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant.
“He said that LeBron was not really crying or sad about Kobe passing. He said, on the plane, he had no emotion and he was just chilling. Everybody on the plane was upset and LeBron was just straight face.”
“He said the only time he was emotional was when he walked off the plane and I think he walked off last and he got in a car… That’s the only time he had emotion.”
“So when I told my boyfriend that story he said you need to leave he’s like why would you need to know that why would he tell you that and I was like, why would he lie about something like that, that’s crazy. It’s not gonna change any way I feel. But it was also my son’s favorite player, he always talked about LeBron. He wanted his sneakers.”
According to Reed, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her son moved into Howard’s house at his request. She claimed that Howard used this time to share stories meant to tarnish James’ image in the eyes of their son, who idolized the Lakers superstar. One such claim, as Reed recounted, was about LeBron’s reaction to Kobe Bryant’s untimely death in January 2020.
Reed shared that she initially didn’t understand Howard’s motivation for making such a claim. However, after discussing it with her then-boyfriend, she realized that Howard may have been attempting to manipulate their son into perceiving LeBron as cold or indifferent.
She noted that LeBron was her son’s hero, and he often spoke about him and wanted his sneakers. This revelation made her uncomfortable, prompting her to leave Howard’s home with their child.
The incident allegedly took place while Howard was with the Los Angeles Lakers during their championship-winning 2019-20 season.
It was Howard who reportedly first received the devastating news of Kobe’s passing while the team was on a plane back from Philadelphia, where LeBron had passed Kobe for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list the night before the tragedy. Howard has previously shared how he broke down in tears in the plane’s restroom after hearing the news.
LeBron James’ emotional response to Kobe’s death has been well-documented. Shortly after the tragic event, James posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, recounting their final conversation and expressing his grief. The loss of Bryant was deeply personal for James, who viewed Kobe as a mentor and friend.
Reed’s claims have sparked a wave of reactions, with many questioning Howard’s alleged actions. If true, the accusation that he sought to manipulate his son by disparaging LeBron adds another layer of complexity to Howard’s already controversial personal life.
This incident has also reignited discussions about the responsibilities public figures have when discussing sensitive topics, especially involving those who are no longer alive to defend themselves.
Dwight Howard has not directly addressed Reed’s claims but appeared to respond cryptically, posting on social media, “A lot of snakes in this game that would do anything for views when they are broke smh.”
The allegations have cast a shadow over Howard’s legacy, as fans and commentators debate the validity and implications of Reed’s statements. Meanwhile, LeBron James remains an enduring figure of admiration for fans, further cementing his reputation as a role model on and off the court.
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