Houston ? Dwight Howard has a new team and catchy new nickname.
?He?s not Superman anymore. He?s Rocket Man now,? longtime Rockets broadcaster Bill Worrell said Saturday as he introduced the team?s major free-agent acquisition.
As Howard took the stage and greeted several Houston officials including owner Leslie Alexander and coach Kevin McHale, a couple of his new teammates playfully repeated his new moniker and were met with a huge smile from Howard.
?It means a lot to me just to have a fresh start and have an opportunity to write my own story,? Howard said. ?I don?t think people understood the fact that I got traded to L.A., and now I had a chance to really choose my own destiny, and this is the place where I chose and I?m happy 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.
The center was formally introduced in Houston on Saturday after spurning the L.A. Lakers to sign with the Rockets. He was greeted by some of the brightest stars in team history.
Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming were among those on hand to celebrate Howard?s signing. Also joining the party were Ralph Sampson, Clyde Drexler and Elvin Hayes.
Slam dunks
Pacers coach Frank Vogel says the signing of free agent Chris Copeland gives the team ?great versatility off our bench.?
Pacers officials announced the signing of the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward on Sunday.
Terms of the deal were not released.
Copeland spent the 2012-13 season with the Knicks, averaging 8.7 points on 48 percent shooting, including 42 percent from beyond the 3-point line, and two rebounds per game.
... The Bucks signed free agent guard O.J. Mayo on Saturday, hoping he will add some much-needed offensive punch to the roster.
The Bucks agreed to terms on a three-year, $24 million contract with Mayo last week. But thanks to a series of moves, the Bucks had to wait until Saturday to make the contract official.
The 25-year-old Mayo averaged 15.3 points for the Mavericks last season, and he should have no trouble finding shots in this new-look Bucks lineup.
... Guard Ben McLemore has signed his rookie contract with the Kings.
... Jeff Teague is still a member of the Hawks.
On Saturday, Atlanta officials matched the four-year, $32 million offer sheet the restricted free agent point guard signed with Milwaukee.
...The Spurs have re-signed center Tiago Splitter after the best season of the Brazilian?s career.
... The Mavericks have made their biggest free agent play in a busy offseason, adding guard Monta Ellis.
... The 76ers acquired Royce White and Furkan Aldemir from the Rockets for future draft considerations.
Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130715/SPORTS0102/307150038/1127/rss13
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