HOUSTON -- New Rocket Dwight Howard is healthy and talking about bringing a championship to Houston. Darius Leonard Jersey . "We have an opportunity to do something special if we stay together and stay focused," Howard said Friday on the eve of Houstons training camp. He was slowed last year after off-season back surgery, which played a part in a disappointing and difficult season with the Lakers. The centres signing propelled the James Harden-led Rockets from a young and talented group to immediate contenders. "For me, being healthy, I think its going to bring back a lot of the things that Ive done in the past," Howard said. "Im very excited about it." The Rockets gave him a four-year deal worth about $88 million, a year less and far below the $118 million the Lakers could have offered. But Howard was ready for a fresh start after a tumultuous time in Los Angeles, which included an admission that there were times that he wasnt having fun and what many believed to be a strained relationship with Kobe Bryant. He wasnt interested in talking too much about last season, but acknowledged the difficulties of the year. "It happened," he said. "Its over with. It didnt work out on both sides, so we have to move on." Then he raved about the relationships hes already built with his new teammates and his excitement about playing on such a young, energetic team. "Im in a better place mentally, spiritually and physically," Howard said. Howard, point guard Jeremy Lin and Harden were among several players who spent time in Aspen, Colo. in the off-season working with Houston great Hakeem Olajuwon. Howard and Lin separately relayed a story about a time during the workouts where Lin lobbed a bad and high pass intended for Howard. Lin immediately began to apologize for the errant throw, but there was no need. Howard jumped up to grab it and dunked it with ease. "I was like: Oh, wow. OK, thats good for me," Lin said of that moment. "He makes my job easier." Howard chuckled as he recalled the play. "He was in shock that I actually caught it because he hasnt seen that and its been a while since I was able to do that kind of stuff," Howard said. "So I think my health is coming back. Im getting some of the bounce back in my legs. It takes a while to recover from back surgery." The Rockets reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 last season and battled back from a 3-0 deficit before being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6. Harden went from being a sixth man with the Thunder to bona fide star in Houston. Hes looking forward to doing even more with the addition of Howard. "We have all the right pieces," Harden said. "We have a lot of talent in that locker room. We have no more excuses. Were just trying build on what we did last season." General manager Daryl Morey believes pairing Howard with Harden gives Houston its best chance to win since the team featured Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. "We have two top-10 players in the league," Morey said. "They have to continue to prove that, but both of them have played at extremely high levels. In the league youve got to have at least one and its great to have two like we have now playing at an elite level. Then you have guys who can play a role and play it well around them." The Rockets are also looking forward to the possibility of playing Howard and last years starting centre, 7-foot Omer Asik, at the same time. "Our focus as a team is on the defensive end," Howard said. "(Omer and I) have an opportunity to really mess up a lot of teams on the defensive end because of our presence." Houston coach Kevin McHale noted the development of Lin in his first season in Houston. A year removed from "Linsanity" in New York, McHale thinks Lin made great progress in his first full season in the NBA after playing just 64 games combined in his first two seasons. Lin isnt comfortable with being the focal point of a team and enjoys having a lower profile on a team with featuring Howard and Harden. "From a personal standpoint, theres a lot less pressure this season," Lin said. "Ive had such a wide spectrum of literally no expectations to having every expectation. Now its kind of going back down to some lower expectations." Custom Indianapolis Colts Jerseys . Carey Price made 27 saves for Montreal (30-21-6) for his fourth shutout of the year and second in four games. David Desharnais added an empty netter for the Canadiens. Reto Berra stopped 25 shots for Calgary (21-28-7). Ryan Grant Colts Jersey . Not only that, when Julian de Guzman first stepped on the pitch for Deportivo de la Coruna he became the very first Canadian to play in Spains top tier. http://www.authoritycoltsshop.com/marshall-faulk-colts-jersey-c-82/ .Y. -- First, Patrick Kane gave his family and friends something to cheer about by scoring a highlight-reel goal in a rare trip home to Buffalo on Sunday night.Alouettes GM and head coach Jim Popp revealed that two NFL teams have called him about job possibilities in 2014. Popp would not name the clubs and issued only a, "no comment" about whether or not theres been progress in him returning to Montreal in the dual role he has worked since returning to the CFL in 1996. “It hasnt been as busy as the last two off seasons,” Popp admitted. Popp later clarified to TSN on Friday that while his representatives received calls, he has not spoken to any teams. He also said he has not interviewed or spoken to anyone about other jobs. At this time last year, the Als lost their head coach Marc Trestman to the Chicago Bears while Popp interviewed for a job with the Panthers, having also been considered for employment with the Eagles and Colts. Popp says he has interviewed prospective coaches for thee coming season since the team still needs a new offensive coordinator and may have spots for as many as three other newcomers to the staff. Eric Ebron Jersey. Popp is in New York for Super Bowl weekend and admitted hes rooting for the Seahawks because of a home town connection with Seattle guard JR Sweezy. “Hes from my hometown Mooresville, North Carolina and I helped get him a scholarship,” Popp told the TSN 690 Morning Show with Price, Starr and Moffat. “Small world, Marc Trestman was on the staff at NC State at the time.” Sweezys mother Susan works for the Alouettes as Popps executive assistant from her North Carolina home and her son was on the Alouettes negotiation list before becoming a fixture on the offensive line that protects Russell Wilson, who not coincidentally, was once on the Als “neg list” as well. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '