Houston Rocket's Dwight Howard, right, dunks over Dallas Maverick's Vince Carter, left, and Dallas Maverick's Samuel Dalembert, center, in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Bob Levey) (The Associated Press)
HOUSTON – Dwight Howard says he is happy again.
The star center has put his lone disappointing and drama-filled season in Los Angeles behind him. He says he is ecstatic about joining the Houston Rockets and helping the young team compete for a championship.
Howard says: "I'm in a better place mentally, physically and spiritually now."
His delight is evident in watching him interact with his new teammates. He wears a broad smile fits of laughter are common as he chats with his fellow Rockets.
Howard spurned the Lakers to sign an $88 million deal with Houston, joining James Harden and a team that made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2009.
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