ATLANTA —
Dwight Howard is coming home, and playing for Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer had a lot to do with him agreeing to terms in Atlanta.
“I really love the coach,” said Howard from Philips Arena where he was watching a Dream game with his family.
“I told him three years ago I really like his style and the way he approaches the game. Just to be able to get coached by somebody like that who’s all about trying to allow you to grow as a player, I’m excited. I’ve seen what Al (Horford) has done in the past.”
The Hawks could have featured a dominant front line with Howard in the middle, Horford at the power forward spot and Paul Millsap at the small forward position, but Horford turned down one of the five richest contracts in NBA history to sign with the Boston Celtics.
“Not really,” said Howard when asked if he was disappointed in not teaming up with Horford. “It was his decision and I actually spoke to him before he made the decision. The thing I wanted him to understand was that this was about him. Whatever decision he made, I’m still going to be friends with him. I’m happy for him. He got a great option and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Howard is hoping to turn the Hawks into the NBA’s best.
“I want to do whatever I can to bring a championship home,” said Howard.
“I know it's not going to be easy, but I've been working extremely hard this summer. I'm very motivated, really pissed off about last season and I'm looking forward to coming back with a new mentality."
Howard’s three-year, $70.5-million dollar contract cannot be officially signed until Thursday.
http://www.wsbtv.com/sports/howard-talks-about-decision-to-come-to-the-hawks/387291259