NBA Latest News: Dwight Howard's Solid Start Makes Atlanta Hawks One Of Top Contenders To Challenge Cleveland Cavaliers in the East

The three-time defensive player of the year, eight-time all-star, five-time all-NBA center Dwight Howard has returned home to his hometown Atlanta hoping to regain his dominant ways with the Hawks this season. Howard was a superstar in the center position when he started his NBA career with the Orlando Magic until he went to other teams that he did not fit in with the coaching system and the players he played with the Lakers and Rockets.

The Atlanta Hawks lost their four-time all-star center Al Horford when he signed with the Boston Celtics last summer but replaced him with Dwight Howard who is more of a dominant defensive presence in the middle that the team lacks for so long. Some fans were not happy with this but the Hawks have signed an all-star and he's playing like one, via Soaring Down South.

Just recently, Howard lead the Hawks to a 112-97 victory against his former team the Houston Rockets. He scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds which Atlanta led most of the game. The game just showed how Howard can make a difference on the defensive end and change the game by dominating the post. His new teammates were also involved and contributed in this convincing win, reported by ESPN.

Dwight Howard and the Hawks is off to a hot start, currently ranks second in the east with a 7-2 record and is making a lot of noise when they defeated the reigning champs Cleveland Cavaliers in their first match-up this season, according to nba.com. The Hawks' fans are thrilled and excited to see Dwight Howard being Dwight Howard again.

A dominating defensive force reclaiming his post as one of the NBA's elite superstars with a new team that seems to be a great fit for him. Giving the Hawks a new level of competitiveness with its defense that it never had before and it is certainly working out pretty well. This would probably be the best opportunity for Howard to redeem his all-star status, via Fox Sports.