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Dwight Howard never grew comfortable playing with Kobe Bryant and for Mike DAntoni. Once a wide-smiling, fun-loving big guy, Howard lacked that joy in Los Angeles. The Rockets are confident hell find it again in Houston. "Were going to get a smile back on his face that hasnt been on it for a couple of years because of various things, injury and maybe the team situation he was in at the time," general manager Daryl Morey told Comcast SportsNet Houston. "Hes going to have a smile back on his face." The Rockets were the ones beaming Friday, thanks to Howards choice to take less money in hopes of more happiness. "Ive decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel (its) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and Im looking forward to a great season," Howard wrote on Twitter. He leaves behind an extra $30 million and an offence under DAntoni that he was never fully pleased with, joining a Rockets team that could become an immediate contender in the Western Conference with the All-Star centre in the middle. "Years of work by Dwight & Rockets went into this. This team is going to be special," Morey tweeted. USA Today first reported earlier Friday that Howard would join the Rockets, where he will team with All-Star James Harden to give the Rockets a potentially potent inside-outside combination. That didnt quite end the Howard saga, which has dragged on a couple of years. Howard spoke again with the Lakers amid reports he was changing his mind. Turns out, he was just saying goodbye. "We have been informed of Dwights decision to not return to the Lakers," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "Naturally were disappointed. However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise and, as always, will do our best to build the best team possible, one our great Lakers fans will be proud to support. "To Dwight, we thank him for his time and consideration, and for his efforts with us last season. We wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his NBA career." Dallas, Golden State and Atlanta were the other suitors interested in Howard. But it was the Rockets, who brought Hall of Fame centre Hakeem Olajuwon with them when they made their pitch to Howard on Monday, who beat out the other teams. And now Howard will follow the likes of Olajuwon and Yao Ming in Houstons middle. The deal cant become official until July 10, after next seasons salary cap has been set. The Rockets can give him a four-year deal worth about $88 million, a year less and far below the $118 million the Lakers could have offered. The Lakers acquired Howard last August from Orlando as part of a four-way trade that also included Philadelphia and Denver. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in 76 games, good numbers but far from his usual dominant play in eight seasons with the Magic as he played his way back into shape following back surgery. He wasnt a natural fit in DAntonis system, had what appeared at times to be a strained relationship with Bryant and acknowledged not having fun at times. Bryant apparently wont miss him. Though he took part in the Lakers meeting with Howard on Tuesday, the five-time champion posted a photo on Instagram of himself and Pau Gasol, the Lakers remaining big man, shortly after Howards decision. Howards awkward departure is right in line with the confusion thats followed him over the last few years. The No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft was one of the NBAs most popular and likable players, an Olympic gold medallist who led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals -- where they lost to Bryant and the Lakers. But he decided a couple of years later that he wanted out of Orlando, and the Magic eventually gave his agent permission to negotiate with the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers about arranging a trade. Yet Howard would later agree to not opt for free agency, remaining with the Magic for the 2011-12 season. Howards season ended prematurely when he needed back surgery, and Orlando finally dealt him to Los Angeles. The Lakers season was a disappointment, with Bryant, Gasol and Steve Nash all missing time with injuries. They never developed any chemistry, getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by San Antonio. The Rockets believe hell find that chemistry in Houston. "We have good teammates. Theyre young. Theyre guys who are great not only on the floor but off. 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Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months.NEW YORK -- The UConn womens basketball team is getting its own reality show.UConn Huskies: The March to Madness debuts March 1 on HBO with a special hour-long edition, followed by half-hour episodes on each subsequent Wednesday.The series follows the team as they try and win a fifth consecutive national championship, giving behind-the-scenes access to the team and its Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemmma.ddddddddddddHBO did a similar show last year, following the Gonzaga mens basketball team over the course of the season.UConn sits at No. 1 in The Associated Press womens basketball poll and has won 82 consecutive games.The cable network announced the show on Tuesday. ' ' '