Heat coach sees a healthy Howard

Eric Spoelstra sees a healthy Dwight Howard.

The Heat coach was asked about the Hawks center now that he has returned to the Eastern Conference after combined seasons with the Lakers and Rockets after leaving the Magic.

“To me, he looks like he is healthy and much more a facsimile of who he was in Orlando,” Spoelstra said before Heat hosted the Hawks Tuesday. “I think a large part of that has been his health the last few years. But he looks like he did when he was in the Eastern Conference. He is running. He is offensive rebounding. He is making all the effort plays and athletic plays that he used to make. The leading offensive rebounder in the league. Getting a ton of early post-ups. Running ahead of the pack. When you see him spinning out for lobs, you haven’t seen that for the last handful of years. I just think he’s finally healthy. He feels comfortable playing in that system. It’s a good fit for him. Being back home. We’ll have to contend with a healthy Dwight Howard.”