Dwight Howard acknowledges it’ll be a bit “weird” when he faces his former team here Sunday.

“Well, you know, it’s going to be a little weird playing against my former team,” Howard answered. “But we need a good win and [to] come out with a lot of energy. So I’m going to put all my effort into getting ready for the next game and playing with a lot of intensity and just having fun.”

Howard’s trade request, coupled with his subsequent stay-or-go saga, strained his friendships with some players on the Magic roster.

The reporter followed up by asking Howard whether he’s still friends with any players on the Magic roster, or whether, once the season starts, Howard puts all that on hold.

“Well, you know,” Howard said, pausing, “I put it on hold.”

via Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel