Atlanta Hawks: Dwight Howard happy to be home

In his introductory press conference with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, former Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard expressed his gratitude to Atlanta, even breaking down in tears at one point.

Just yesterday, Dwight Howard officially signed with the Atlanta Hawks. Since he signed a three-year, $70.5 million contract at the beginning of the free agency period, the Atlanta native has been very open about his excitement for the future with his hometown team.

On Wednesday, at his introductory press conference at the William Walker Recreation Center, Howard teared up in the middle of discussing what he calls “a new beginning” for him with the Atlanta Hawks.

The emotional breakdown came after stating that he would share the moment with his family. After getting choked up, he said, “Ohh…I know they’re gonna clown on me later,” in reference to his own breakdown. “There’s gonna be some memes.” Howard was unable to finish making his statement, and was instead given a standing ovation by the audience as he cried into his left hand.

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There’s more to it than meets the eye for Howard concerning his return to Atlanta and what he believes will be a new beginning for him as a person and a player.

VIA Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

"“I happy to be home,” Howard said. “I know I am in a totally different place physically, mentally and spiritually than I was three years ago. I don’t think three years ago I would be the man I am today. This is really a new beginning for me. I’m happy to share that with my loved ones.”Howard, an eight-time All-Star, met with the Hawks on July 1, the first day of the NBA free agency period. Part of the meeting was scheduled to be a 10-minute conversation with coach Mike Budenholzer. The two ended up talking for nearly two hours, according to Howard. The two first connected three years ago when the Hawks met with Howard before he signed with the Rockets.This time the end result was different. This was the right time to return to Atlanta.“I was like ‘Man, I don’t even need to meet with anybody else. I don’t need to see anybody else. I’m coming to Atlanta,’” Howard said.Howard’s family has been praying for him to come home and play for the Hawks. His father said he planted the seed on several occasions. The two talked Tuesday night and Howard was surprised how his father kept up on the Hawks’ roster moves and how they would be good for his son.“You have to understand Dwight,” Dwight Howard Sr. said. “He don’t want to say my dad told me to do this. So, I just have to say ‘You know, Atlanta is a blessing.’ I can’t drive it in but I can throw it out there.”There are several concerns about Howard, including his health, his past performance and how he will fit into Budenholzer’s system.Howard maintains that he is healthy and that other than a five-day break to go fishing in Mexico, he has been working out since the end of the season.Of the notion of a negative public perception, Howard acknowledges a chip on his shoulder to prove naysayers wrong.“I can’t sit up here and say it doesn’t affect me,” Howard said. “But I think all the negativity and what people said in the past made me upset. It’s put me in a place where I want to come back with a new me, a new Dwight. What better way to do it than in front of my family and friends.”"

It was also announced on Wednesday, shortly after the press conference, that Howard would change his uniform number. Though he wore the No. 12 for all 12 seasons of his career, Howard will now wear No. 8 with the Atlanta Hawks. New number, new beginning.

Next: Atlanta Hawks re-sign PF Kris Humphries to one-year deal

Over the past couple of seasons with the Rockets, Howard has been on the decline. Last season with the Rockets, he averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists, which is considerably less than his average 17.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in previous years with teams like the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Will Howard’s return to his hometown with the Atlanta Hawks truly be a new beginning?

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