But all that stuff, the only thing it did was mo

ATLANTA -- Dwight Howard beamed Monday as he posed for photos, finally wearing his hometown ATLANTA in big letters across his broad chest.Howard said his homecoming is a blessing and an honor which wipes away frustrations of up-and-down seasons with the Lakers and Rockets the last four years.I was placed in situations that werent really the right situations for me, Howard said. But all that stuff, the only thing it did was mold me for the opportunity that I have now. All the good stuff and bad stuff, all the hardships I had to endure, all that stuff it really just made me a better person.Howard came out of Southwest Atlanta Christian School to become the No. 1 overall pick by Orlando in 2004. He spent eight seasons with the Magic and one with the Lakers before playing for the Rockets the last three years.Howard signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta in July -- but this is not his first Hawks jersey. He said he regularly wore Hawks gear while growing up in Atlantas suburbs.I had all the Hawks jerseys and I wore them like I was on the team, and now to actually be on the team is just a dream come true, Howard said.Howard, 30, is the biggest part of a new look for the Hawks, who open training camp on Tuesday.Atlantas remake also includes starting point guard Dennis Schroder, the former backup to Jeff Teague, who was traded to Indiana. Howard replaces Al Horford, who signed with Boston.Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Howard gives Atlanta the rebounding force it lacked even while making nine straight playoff appearances. The Hawks usually were undersized with Horford misplaced at center, but that wont be a problem with Howard, who has averaged 12.7 rebounds in his career and was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in three straight seasons (2009-11).The Hawks ranked only 24th in the NBA in rebounds last season.Were strong in some other areas and thats the area we look and see the most obvious room for improvement and obviously the area where Dwight can have a great, positive impact, Budenholzer said.Budenholzer said hes confident Howard also can be a good fit in his offense, including our core principals of playing unselfishly and with ball movement.Budenholzer sees Howards defensive rebounds starting fast-break opportunities led by Schroders quickness, and he sees Howard as a perfect fit in his pick-and-roll plays.Howard will start beside power forward Paul Millsap, who will miss at least two preseason games following a procedure to reduce swelling in his right knee. Budenholzer said Monday hes confident Millsap will be ready for the season.Millsap said Howard has made a good first impression.Hes been great, Millsap said. Hes been in the gym every day working hard. Its good to see his positive attitude in the locker room. He has definitely been a vocal leader for us since hes been here. We like it. We like his energy. We like what he brings to the table.Howard calls Millsap Patent Leather.Because hes so smooth, Howard said. Everything he does is smooth and efficient.Millsap said hell accept the nickname because hes probably not going to stop calling me that.Budenholzer said he likes the mix of 11 returning players with a few newcomers, including rookie forwards Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry and veteran guards Jarrett Jack and Will Bynum.We have significant continuity coming back while also making significant changes to our roster, Budenholzer said. I think thats a pretty rare and unique situation in our league. Air Jordan 1 Retro High Og Cheap . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Jordan 1 For Sale Cheap . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. http://www.saleairjordan1.com/ . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Air Jordan 1 Retro Sale . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Cheap Jordan Retro 1 For Sale . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Baylor starting quarterback?Seth Russell is out of the concussion protocol and has been cleared for Saturdays game against TCU,?interim coach Jim Grobe said.Russell experienced some potential concussion-related symptoms late Saturday night after a 35-34 loss at Texas, including a headache and nausea.My guess is he didnt have a concussion, Grobe told reporters Wednesday, according to the Waco Tribune. He was maybe dehydrated. The game lasted like 12 hours.Russell said Monday that he took seeveral helmet-to-helmet hits on Saturday, but said he doesnt recall whether any one in particular hurt him.ddddddddddddHours after the game, he was having dinner in Austin when he started feeling sick. He said the symptoms were not too bad, but after informing Baylors team trainer, Russell went to the hospital as a precaution. He said a CT scan came back clean. ' ' '