Dwight Howard has embraced role player duties for the Los Angeles Lakers, restoring his reputation in the process. As SI.com Senior Writer Chris Mannix details, the buy-in has led to increased minutes in the Western Conference Finals, and his effort as a defender and rebounder goes against some of the knocks against his game in recent years. At 34, Howard may not even be on an NBA roster had it not been for the Lakers bringing him on board in late August.