Dwight Howard gives his Lakers teammates some scripture

The Los Angeles Lakers’ star had an idea to motivate his teammates.

Nov 9, 2012, 4:01 PM UTC

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Dwight Howard is one of the more religious players in the NBA, so it's not surprising that he's telling his Los Angeles Lakers teammates to turn to scripture as they try to recover from a 1-4 start. Via ESPN Los Angeles:

”Howard turned the Lakers’ inner sanctuary of the practice facility into his personal pulpit Thursday when he addressed the team.
”‘I told the guys after practice today that we just got to stick together, still come in here every day and work hard and fight through this phase,’ Howard said. ‘I gave them a little scripture: ‘The first should be last and the last should be first.’
“Howard was referring to the Bible verse Matthew 19:30 that states, ‘But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.’”

It’s a fine line, but is it really specific enough to the Lakers’ situation. Here are some other passages that may have been more appropriate. We promise these are real.

"Go forth from your native Triangle and from your Zen Master's house to the land of backcuts that I will show you."
"He who triumphs in the game of life will be rewarded with a tabernacle of candy in the world to come."
"He who hath many Ed Hardy shirts must organizeth them and photograph them for Twitter." (via @CardboardGerald).
"Kobe is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down outside the colored area near the basket, he leads me beside the injured point guard with floppy hair, he restores my back. He guides me in paths of basketball harmony for his legacy's sake. Even though I walk through the pixels of the shadow of pressure, I will fear no critic, for Kobe is with me; his fadeaway jumpers and angry glares, they comfort me. He prepares a verbal volley before me in the presence of Shaquille O'Neals. He anoints my leaping ability with alley-oops; our basket overflows. Surely championships and glory will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of KOBE forever."
"Without faith, it is impossible to please the basketball Gods, because anyone who comes to Mike Brown must believe his capacity to teach the Princeton offense exists and that it rewards the very few that earnestly seek it."