National Basketball Association

Dwight Howard cries at his Hawks introductory press conference

Published Jul. 13, 2016 2:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dwight Howard agreed to a three-year deal worth $70.5 million to join the Atlanta Hawks this summer, and at his introductory press conference with the team on Wednesday, he shed tears of joy as he discussed being ready to return to his hometown to gain yet another fresh start.

"This is a real new beginning for me, and I'm happy to share that with my loved ones," Howard said, before being overcome with emotion. "Oh, man. There's gonna be some memes."

New number. pic.twitter.com/G21Xst9z7q
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) July 13, 2016

Howard clashed with James Harden in Houston last season and was unhappy with a diminished role that took him almost completely out of the team's offense. His three years with the Rockets came after a wildly unsuccessful season with the Lakers, one in which Howard couldn't get on the same page with Kobe Bryant.

Despite all of that, however, Howard believes he's been nothing but a positive influence in the past.

Howard's reputation may have taken a hit over the past few years, but he's still an above average big man who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. He averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 32.1 minutes per game for the Rockets last season, down from averages that topped 20 points and 14 rebounds in his prime years before leaving Orlando for the Lakers.