Howard is free agent now, says he needs to clear head before deciding future LOS ANGELES — If it was Dwight Howard's last performance as a Los Angeles Laker, it was ugly.
He was arguably his team's best player, and he scored seven points.
His team was supposedly a title contender when the season began. But it was swept out of the playoffs without a single victory, beaten four consecutive games by the San Antonio Spurs.
He was considered a team leader, yet he was ejected after drawing his second technical foul of the game with 9:51 remaining in the third quarter and his team trailing by 21 points.
When it was over, the Spurs beating the Lakers 103-82 to complete the first-round sweep, Howard was asked to assess his first (and only?) season with the Lakers.
"A nightmare," he said. "A bad dream. I couldn't wake up out of it. It seemed like nothing could go right from the start."
LAKERS: Everything to go wrong this season
SWEEP: Another Spurs blowout ends series
SCHEDULE: First-round times, TV information
Howard was hammered hard around the basket by the Spurs, who preferred to send Howard to the free throw line, where he is relatively inept, to having him make layups or dunks.
Howard, clearly frustrated, drew the first technical for throwing an elbow. He drew the second for arguing.
Afterward, he expressed regret.
"I've just got to do a better job of keeping my cool," he said. "It's an emotional game, and I don't want to lose. Sometimes you don't react the right way."
If Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni was furious about his best player getting himself ejected, he didn't express it.
"I hate it for him," D'Antoni said. "He gets banged up so much in there. He takes a pounding. After a while, I guess his nerves are shot or whatever."
PHOTOS: Dwight Howard's Magical ride to Laker Land 
Dwight Howard's travails as a Los Angeles Laker have become the story of the season. But how did he get here? Flip through for the making of a star.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard was the top player in the country his senior season at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.]()
Howard was the top player in the country his senior season at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.
Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard won Gatorade National Player of the Year his senior season.]()
Howard won Gatorade National Player of the Year his senior season.
Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![When Howard was picked No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic out of high school, he still had braces.]()
When Howard was picked No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic out of high school, he still had braces.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard had veteran teammates to guide him as a rookie, as Grant Hill does here Oct. 6, 2004, during a preseason practice.]()
Howard had veteran teammates to guide him as a rookie, as Grant Hill does here Oct. 6, 2004, during a preseason practice.
John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard, particularly early in his career, was criticized for his lack of finesse on the offense end. Here, he bulldozes past Hawks center Jason Collier as a rookie Nov. 26, 2004.]()
Howard, particularly early in his career, was criticized for his lack of finesse on the offense end. Here, he bulldozes past Hawks center Jason Collier as a rookie Nov. 26, 2004.
Gregory Smith, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard was drawing regular double-teams by his second season in the NBA.]()
Howard was drawing regular double-teams by his second season in the NBA.
Julie Jacobson, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard developed his rebounding skill at an early age, averaging a double-double as a 19-year-old rookie. He led the NBA in rebounds per game four times in his final five seasons with the Magic.]()
Howard developed his rebounding skill at an early age, averaging a double-double as a 19-year-old rookie. He led the NBA in rebounds per game four times in his final five seasons with the Magic.
Eric Gay, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard shows off his headphones during part of the Team USA tour before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.]()
Howard shows off his headphones during part of the Team USA tour before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
Samantha Sin, AFP/Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Howard made his Team USA major-competition debut during the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.]()
Howard made his Team USA major-competition debut during the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.
Mark J. Terrill, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard and company brought home the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japana.]()
Howard and company brought home the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japana.
Mark J. Terrill, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the 2007 All-Star Game, which drew attention and led to him being voted in as a starter every season since.]()
Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the 2007 All-Star Game, which drew attention and led to him being voted in as a starter every season since.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Before being beset by injuries in recent seasons, Howard was one of the most reliable big men in the NBA. He played all 82 games in each of his first four seasons and only missed seven in his first seven combined.]()
Before being beset by injuries in recent seasons, Howard was one of the most reliable big men in the NBA. He played all 82 games in each of his first four seasons and only missed seven in his first seven combined.
Paul Connors, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard worked with Magic assistant Patrick Ewing for years on his post skills and defense.]()
Howard worked with Magic assistant Patrick Ewing for years on his post skills and defense.
Todd A. Anderson, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard's Superman-themed dunk during the 2008 dunk contest won him the title and remains one of the most iconic moments in contest history.]()
Howard's Superman-themed dunk during the 2008 dunk contest won him the title and remains one of the most iconic moments in contest history.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard played with current Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his only Olympic gold medal.]()
Howard played with current Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his only Olympic gold medal.
Greg Pearson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard reportedly had a $7.8 million home in Orlando.]()
Howard reportedly had a $7.8 million home in Orlando.
Preston C. Mack, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard brought back out his Superman cape for the 2009 dunk contest, only to allow Nate Robinson to leap over him for a dunk that sealed Robinson's victory.]()
Howard brought back out his Superman cape for the 2009 dunk contest, only to allow Nate Robinson to leap over him for a dunk that sealed Robinson's victory.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard's 6-11, 270-pound frame combined with his spectacular athleticism makes him nearly impossible to defend.]()
Howard's 6-11, 270-pound frame combined with his spectacular athleticism makes him nearly impossible to defend.
Michael Perez, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard and Jameer Nelson watch as the Magic lose Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to the Lakers. Orlando lost twice in overtime during the five-game series.]()
Howard and Jameer Nelson watch as the Magic lose Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to the Lakers. Orlando lost twice in overtime during the five-game series.
John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard's marketability hinges on his incredible physique and fun personality, shown as he flexes with tennis star Venus Williams.]()
Howard's marketability hinges on his incredible physique and fun personality, shown as he flexes with tennis star Venus Williams.
EA Sports, via Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Fouling Howard has long been an ideal defensive strategy because he can't shoot free throws well.]()
Fouling Howard has long been an ideal defensive strategy because he can't shoot free throws well.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard is among the NBA's best shot-blockers, leading the NBA in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He won defensive player of the year honors both of those seasons and in 2010-11.]()
Howard is among the NBA's best shot-blockers, leading the NBA in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He won defensive player of the year honors both of those seasons and in 2010-11.
Charles Krupa, AP Related story Fullscreen ![In Orlando, Howard was the smiling face of the franchise for eight seasons.]()
In Orlando, Howard was the smiling face of the franchise for eight seasons.
Scott A. Miller, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Shaquille O'Neal didn't shown much respect to Howard as a player and still doesn't as an analyst. Both were No. 1 picks by the Magic who then went to the Lakers, both centers known for their strength and athleticism, both Superman enthusiasts.]()
Shaquille O'Neal didn't shown much respect to Howard as a player and still doesn't as an analyst. Both were No. 1 picks by the Magic who then went to the Lakers, both centers known for their strength and athleticism, both Superman enthusiasts.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![The Magic brought back Hedo Turkoglu in 2011 with hopes of keeping Howard, but they never quite found the same page they had been on during their five seasons together from 2004 through 2009.]()
The Magic brought back Hedo Turkoglu in 2011 with hopes of keeping Howard, but they never quite found the same page they had been on during their five seasons together from 2004 through 2009.
Chuck Burton, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Howard's last season in Orlando was full of frustration, vented at his balky back, his mediocre teammates, franchise executives and more.]()
Howard's last season in Orlando was full of frustration, vented at his balky back, his mediocre teammates, franchise executives and more.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy didn't see eye-to-eye on many issues, and both ended up getting booted from the Magic in the 2012 offseason.]()
Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy didn't see eye-to-eye on many issues, and both ended up getting booted from the Magic in the 2012 offseason. Michael Perez, AP
