Hawks' Dwight Howard prepared to hear boos from Rockets fans

— -- HOUSTON -- If the boos come, Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard will be ready for them. Howard, who spent three seasons with the Houston Rockets before leaving for a three-year $70.5 million contract last summer, will play for the first time at the Toyota Center on Thursday night.

"There was never any love lost for this city," Howard said Thursday morning from the Hawks' team hotel. "It's just the business of basketball. I'm in a great place; this team is in a great place, but if I do get a couple of boos, I will respect it and I understand it and you got to move forward."

In Howard's three seasons in Houston, the Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals in 2015 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors?in 2016 and? Portland Trail Blazers?in 2014. Howard said the reason he signed a free-agent deal with the Rockets was to play with James Harden, whom he said is having an outstanding season.

But last season the pairing between the men faltered. Chemistry between the two appeared absent, and the Rockets finished 41-41, sneaking into the postseason as the eighth seed.

"I thought, besides the last season, I thought we had some successful seasons," Howard said. "Went to the West finals, which hasn't been done since Hakeem Olajuwon. I thought we had some success. I know it didn't end the way we all wanted it to end -- that's the NBA and you have to move forward. Houston is having a great year, this year and our team is also having a great season, and it will be great if both teams ended up in the finals."

Howard was one of the more active players in the community when he played in Houston. He did charity work with former first lady Barbara Bush; interacted with a Rockets fan group called the Red Rowdies; and conducted a blood drive for longtime broadcaster Craig Sager, who died last year, among other charitable acts.

During a massive rainstorm two seasons ago during the NBA playoffs, fans at the Toyota Center were told they couldn't leave the arena. A highway leading to Howard's home, south of downtown, was blocked off. Howard remained at the arena and talked to fans and played with his son until the storm passed.

"I did some good." Howard said. "I've never disrespected any fan here in Houston. I think I treated everybody here in Houston with the same respect that I would want in the community at games no matter where it might be. There were never any bad moments I had with any of the fans here. When there was flooding, I stayed with the fans. I was always in the community. I did the best I could for this city and this team on and off the floor. If I get a couple of boos, that's fine with me. I learned to live with it. I've been getting booed my whole life -- that's not something new. I will always have a lot of love and respect for Houston."