After acquiring All-Star center Dwight Howard the off-season, it was the hope of the Los Angeles Lakers that he could become the face of the franchise in the near future once Kobe Bryant retires.

Though Howard has made it clear to not speak on free agency until he becomes a free agent this upcoming off-season, Howard spoke to USA Today and hinted to being prepared to take on a leadership role with the Lakers for the foreseeable future.

"I know who (Bryant) is to this team, what he has been to this team for a long time," Howard continued. "But there's going to come a day where he's going to be gone, and that's when I have to step in and fill that void and take this team to the next level. That's why I'm here. That's why they wanted me here, and I'm going to do my job and my part to make sure this team gets there - and it starts with me.

"Even now, it starts with me. That's why I come in, and I work as hard as I can every day, don't take days off and all that stuff because I want to show these guys that I'm all about winning and I'm all about making sure this team gets to the top. That's all we say. At the top is us. That's where we want to be."

Howard understands what Bryant means to the franchise, winning five titles in his career, and knows he'll have big shoes to fill once Bryant leaves.

Though the Lakers have showed recent improvement as of late, Howard must make sure his teammates are getting better, a trademark of all the great players in league history.

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