Howard's Lakers meet the Magic on Tuesday ORLANDO – Dwight Howard came to Orlando with talking points and stuck to them Tuesday.
Preparing for his first game against in Orlando against the Magic, his former team, Howard met local, national and Los Angeles –based reporters about seven hours before the Magic and Lakers were scheduled to tip off.
"I've said it plenty of times. I have nothing but love for the fans here," Howard told reporters. "They made me into the player that I am today, and I'll always be thankful for that. I came here a boy and left a man. It's made me a better person being here. Thank you to all the fans who supported me even throughout all the bad times."
Howard focused on what the Magic accomplished in his eight season – four consecutive 50-win seasons, two trips to the Eastern Conference finals and one trip to the NBA Finals – and avoided saying anything that would give fans further fuel for disliking Howard and the manner in which he left Orlando.
"I haven't been here since my (back) surgery," Howard said. "I was happy to come back, see my house, go to Waffle House, get a good meal. That was fun. I was happy about that."
It was a hectic scene with 50 reporters surrounding Howard, who sat on the scorer's table and answered questions. Before he met with reporters, Howard took shots at one end of the court. He was one of the last Lakers on the court, prompting Lakers guard Steve Nash to shout: "Longest Dwight's ever worked on his game after practice."
HOWARD TO ORLANDO: 'I apologize for the way I handled it'
And of course, it just couldn't be a normal Q&A with Howard. Lakers forward Metta World Peace barged into the interview.
"I gotta get some TV time. All these cameras," World Peace said. "Keeping talking to Dwight ya'll. My Twitter's @mettaworldpeace. Follow me on Twitter. Follow Dwight. I need a million followers. Keep talking though."
Howard kept talking.
"Enough TV time," World Peace said and exited stage right.
HOWARD Q&A: Not yet back to 'Superman' level
Wishy-washy all last season about whether he wanted to remain with the Magic or go elsewhere, the franchise traded their All-Star and three-time defensive player of the year in a multi-team trade that forced Orlando into a painful rebuilding process.
Orlando is 18-46 and in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with the second-worst record in the NBA. After a difficult start, the Lakers have started to win. They are 8-2 in their past 10 and are 33-31, tied with the Utah Jazz for eighth place in the West.
"Just go out there and play," Howard said. "We're playing great basketball. Just want to continue to do that. We don't have to do anything extra. Just play the way we've been playing the last couple of games and come out of here with a win."
Asked what kind of reception he expected to received from upset fans, Howard said, "I don't know what it's going to be like. Like I said, I had eight great years here and nothing can take away the accomplishments we had here as a team and what we went through together."
VIDEO: Howard enjoys Orlando song mocking him
Those were the talking points: he wanted fans to know he appreciated their support and that he fondly remembers the success Orlando had when he was there.
Pressed further about what he could have or should have done differently, Howard stayed on message.
"I said what I had to say," he said. "I have nothing but love for the fans here. They were great to me, and we had great years and nobody can take that away."
PHOTOS: DWIGHT HOWARD'S CAREER FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO L.A. 
Dwight Howard's travails as a Los Angeles Laker have become the story of the season. But how did he get here? Flip through for the making of a star.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard was the top player in the country his senior season at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.
Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard won Gatorade National Player of the Year his senior season.
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When Howard was picked No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic out of high school, he still had braces.
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Howard had veteran teammates to guide him as a rookie, as Grant Hill does here Oct. 6, 2004, during a preseason practice.
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Howard, particularly early in his career, was criticized for his lack of finesse on the offense end. Here, he bulldozes past Hawks center Jason Collier as a rookie Nov. 26, 2004.
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Howard was drawing regular double-teams by his second season in the NBA.
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Howard developed his rebounding skill at an early age, averaging a double-double as a 19-year-old rookie. He led the NBA in rebounds per game four times in his final five seasons with the Magic.
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Howard shows off his headphones during part of the Team USA tour before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
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Howard made his Team USA major-competition debut during the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.
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Howard and company brought home the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japana.
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Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the 2007 All-Star Game, which drew attention and led to him being voted in as a starter every season since.
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Before being beset by injuries in recent seasons, Howard was one of the most reliable big men in the NBA. He played all 82 games in each of his first four seasons and only missed seven in his first seven combined.
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Howard worked with Magic assistant Patrick Ewing for years on his post skills and defense.
Todd A. Anderson, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's Superman-themed dunk during the 2008 dunk contest won him the title and remains one of the most iconic moments in contest history.
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Howard played with current Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his only Olympic gold medal.
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Howard reportedly had a $7.8 million home in Orlando.
Preston C. Mack, for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard brought back out his Superman cape for the 2009 dunk contest, only to allow Nate Robinson to leap over him for a dunk that sealed Robinson's victory.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard's 6-11, 270-pound frame combined with his spectacular athleticism makes him nearly impossible to defend.
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Howard and Jameer Nelson watch as the Magic lose Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to the Lakers. Orlando lost twice in overtime during the five-game series.
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Howard's marketability hinges on his incredible physique and fun personality, shown as he flexes with tennis star Venus Williams.
EA Sports, via Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Fouling Howard has long been an ideal defensive strategy because he can't shoot free throws well.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard is among the NBA's best shot-blockers, leading the NBA in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He won defensive player of the year honors both of those seasons and in 2010-11.
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In Orlando, Howard was the smiling face of the franchise for eight seasons.
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Shaquille O'Neal didn't shown much respect to Howard as a player and still doesn't as an analyst. Both were No. 1 picks by the Magic who then went to the Lakers, both centers known for their strength and athleticism, both Superman enthusiasts.
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The Magic brought back Hedo Turkoglu in 2011 with hopes of keeping Howard, but they never quite found the same page they had been on during their five seasons together from 2004 through 2009.
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Howard's last season in Orlando was full of frustration, vented at his balky back, his mediocre teammates, franchise executives and more.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy didn't see eye-to-eye on many issues, and both ended up getting booted from the Magic in the 2012 offseason. Michael Perez, AP
