Dwight Howard discusses Lakers season-opening loss to Mavericks

The Lakers missed 19 free throws — Howard was 3 of 14 from the line — and turned the ball over 14, resulting in 17 points for Dallas.

“It happens,” Howard said. “But you have to remember, we have 81 more games to play and Rome wasn’t built in a day. Somebody told me that.”

Howard didn’t wave any white flags, but did caution against high expectations in the early going.

“You guys shouldn’t expect that just because we have a talented team, that everything is gong to click right away,” Howard said. “It’s going to take time. We have to be patient. I know everyone in Laker Nation wants us to win every game, but it takes time.

“We’re all learning something new.”

– Reported by Janis Carr of the Orange County Register