The highly anticipated kick-off of the BIG3 League's summer schedule on Saturday in Chicago saw the return of several former NBA players, including Dwight Howard, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and Jason Richardson, all looking to extend their professional basketball careers. The league's opening day immediately lived up to its promise of intense competition, specifically during the matchup between Miami 305 and the Los Angeles Riot. However, the game quickly descended into chaos, overshadowing individual performances and sparking significant controversy.

Dwight Howard, who had reportedly been eyeing a return to the Los Angeles Lakers, made his much-anticipated BIG3 debut as a center-forward for the Los Angeles Riot. Despite his efforts, the Riot suffered a crushing loss to Miami 305, with scores reported as 50-44 or 51-44 depending on the source. The real highlight, or lowlight, of the game came when Howard clashed intensely with Lance Stephenson. Tensions between the two veterans boiled over mid-game, culminating in Howard aggressively shoving Stephenson. The confrontation escalated further when Howard placed Stephenson in a one-armed headlock. The scuffle quickly turned into a grappling match, with both players falling to the ground and the fight spilling dangerously into the stands, necessitating immediate intervention from security personnel. Both Howard and Stephenson were subsequently ejected before the final whistle, marking a wild and contentious end to their BIG3 debuts.

Despite the abrupt and controversial end to their game, both players managed to display flashes of their past NBA prowess. Howard finished his abbreviated debut with 10 points and 7 rebounds, while Stephenson posted a more robust stat line of 16 points and 3 rebounds. However, the altercation between Howard and Stephenson was not the only heated moment involving the former Indiana Pacers antagonizer. Later in the game, former Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Crawford also engaged in a peculiar confrontation with Stephenson, which involved Crawford sticking his finger into Stephenson's nose. This bizarre act was seen by some as a form of comeuppance for Stephenson's notorious on-court antics throughout his NBA career, including his infamous ear-blowing incident involving LeBron James during the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Crawford led the Riot in scoring with 19 points and added 4 rebounds, while Stephenson's Miami 305 ultimately secured the victory.

Beyond the court controversies, Dwight Howard recently weighed in on the enduring debate between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant during his appearance on the Club 520 Podcast. Howard offered a unique and personal perspective on who he believes stands out overall. He stated, “Everything combined, you got to give it to LeBron. Scoring-wise, I got to say I like Kobe. If it’s late in the game, I’m giving the ball to Kobe. I’m not going to give the ball to LeBron late in the game. I’m going to give it to Kobe.” Howard's reasoning is rooted in his rare experience of playing alongside both NBA superstars. He played with Kobe Bryant during a turbulent 2012-13 season with the Lakers and later reunited with the Lakers to play with LeBron James during the 2021-22 season. These experiences provided him with an intimate view of their distinct playing styles and leadership approaches, informing his nuanced opinion.

The BIG3 League serves as a platform for players like Crawford and Stephenson to continue their professional careers after their time in the NBA. Jordan Crawford has been out of the NBA since 2018, having played for the New Orleans Pelicans, and has since played overseas, primarily in the Chinese Basketball Association. He notably played 42 games for the Warriors in the 2013-14 season, averaging 8.4 points per game. Lance Stephenson was last in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, making a return to the Indiana Pacers, the team where he found his most significant success. His NBA career saw him bounce between various teams, but he was a key part of a formidable defensive duo with Paul George on the wing and Roy Hibbert in the paint for the Pacers in the early 2010s.