The Laker's reluctance to get rid of Kobe Bryant was the reason Dwight Howard chose to sign with the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN.

After an NBA offseason dominated by news of the Los Angeles Lakers bolstered-up team with the acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, many fans expected them to go all the way to an NBA title.

Last week, the NBA unveiled the new seasonal merchandise that NBA players will wear on Christmas Day. Ten teams scheduled to play on Dec. 25 will wear the new one-color Winter Court jerseys for the new "BIG: Color" campaign. Then the basketball league came up with a clever idea to promote the new athletic apparel. Some of NBA's finest players were recruited for their dribbling skills. Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson, Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade, together, used basketballs as instruments for a commercial.

Dwight Howard trade rumors are starting to tire people down. Hall of Famer and TNT commentator Charles Barkley has gone as far as saying Howard is now "getting on my last damn nerve." Barkley has been a strong supporter of Howard in the past but he has now come out to urge Howard to ensure a resolution is completed quickly. Speaking to Philadelphia radio station 97.5 The Fanatic on Thursday Barkley has said, "I love Dwight Howard as a person and as a player, but he's getting on my la...