MEMPHIS -- In order to move forward and turn around their disappointing season, the Los Angeles Lakers attempted to let go of their past frustrations with a team meeting Wednesday.

Prior to a shootaround in preparation for Wednesday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Mike D'Antoni invited members of the Lakers to air their grievances, according to a team source.

Several players spoke up, including Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, the 17-year veterans who make up the Lakers' backcourt.

Bryant asked Dwight Howard if he was bothered by playing alongside him, according to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the meeting.

Bryant acknowledged he could be "hard to play with," according to the newspaper, and challenged Howard to speak up if he had a problem with it. Howard was "despondent" and did not offer much of a reply, according to a team source.

Howard, though, disputed the details of the story after Wednesday's game, a 106-93 loss to the Grizzlies in which he sat out the second half after re-aggravating a right shoulder injury.

"Whatever was said that (Bryant) said is not true," Howard said. "He never asked me if I liked playing with him. I will say that. He never asked me."

Howard then was asked if he was bothered by playing with Bryant.

"No, I'm not," Howard said. "It's something that we all got to learn. We got to learn how to play together."

After Wednesday's game, Bryant was asked if he "felt comfortable" with what he said during the team meeting. He responded, simply, "Yup."

While a coaching change and several injuries have contributed to the Lakers' 17-25 record at the season's halfway point, another major factor in their difficulties has been the lack of rhythm between Howard and Bryant.

Following the Lakers' 95-83 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Howard complained to reporters about getting only five shots, while Bryant was 7 of 22. Howard apologized for those comments after Wednesday's shootaround, calling them "immature."