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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. George Hill Jersey . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Khris Middleton Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-Oscar-Robertson-Bucks-Jersey/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Eric Bledsoe Bucks Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Ersan Ilyasova Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. null ' ' '