Dwight Howard perfectly happy just kidding around on a Saturday

Dwight Howard proudly announced to a group of over 120 kids in a giant gym that he had never lost to anyone at a game of “Knock-Out.”

The Rockets center was back in Houston to get ready for preseason camp next week and spent Saturday morning at The Zone at a ProCamp with young basketball players from all over area.

Howard set up for a game of Knock-Out with a group of 9-year olds. Midway through the game, Jonesha Neal – a girl in hot pink shorts from Caldwell Elementary School – sunk a free throw and gracefully hit a layup to give Howard his first ever loss.

He just grinned.

Howard was all smiles as he played one-on-one with the 7-year olds and coached defense to the 17-year olds.

“I enjoy this just as much as the kids do and I really want them to learn and take something from this. Not just a picture or an autograph, but something they can use,” he said.

Howard’s mindset at his camp was clearly on basketball. And with the start of Rockets preseason camp just around the corner, that’s all he thinking about.

Howard said he knows things will be different when the team gets together early next week. Despite all the changes, though, he said he thinks the Rockets have a good shot to have a strong year.

Dylon Turner attempts to block Dwight Howard during a drill as part of the Dwight Howard Basketball Camp held at The Zone on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Dylon Turner attempts to block Dwight Howard during a drill as part of the Dwight Howard Basketball Camp held at The Zone on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

“The summer went by really fast,” Howard said. “And a lot of people were really surprised about a lot of things that happened this summer with our team. I think we are going to have a really good season. We have some really good guys and we are looking forward to the year.”

Those changes included the loss of key players Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons and the addition of Trevor Ariza.

Howard said that he was sad to see his friends go, but understands the way the NBA works.

“I am going to miss those guys,” Howard said. “I had developed a bond with those guys. I talked to Jeremy the other day and it was good. We developed a bond from the season and in the playoffs, it got stronger. To see them go, it was real sad. I know I was hurt when Chandler last. I was hurt when Jeremy left.”

Howard said that he and Asik had come a long way since the start of the season. The two had seemingly hit their rhythm in the playoff series against Portland.

“I was shocked when Big O (Asik) left,” Howard said. “I had really developed a strong bond with Big O. I was sad to see him go. That’s the nature of the business. I wish those guys the best.”

While all the changes were going on, Howard said he didn’t pay too close of attention. Since he had gone through free agency himself the year before, he knew there would be speculation and rumors and chose not to get involved.

“At the end of the day, all that matters is the 5 guys on the floor and the 10 players on the bench,” Howard said.

And because of his experience in the league of seeing people come and go from team to team, he said he doesn’t put too much thought into how the front office is handling the business.

“My job is to go get better every day and that was my main focus all summer – to continue to get stronger, to get my back and the rest of my injuries healed up and get ready on the season,” Howard said. “I haven’t focused too much on what the guys up top are doing. That’s their job and it’s my job to go play.”

Howard, who played with Ariza briefly in Orlando in 2006-07, said he was happy to have him on the team.

Ariza brings another defensive specialist to the Rockets’ roster.

“I am excited he is here,” Howard said. “I think he is going to be great for this team.”

As camp gets underway, Howard said his main goal is to lead the team, along with James Harden, to a better season this year.

“We have a great situation here in Houston,” Howard said. “We have some guys who can just play solid on both ends on the floor. It’s on me and James to lead these guys. We have to lead by everything we do, how hard we work, how we practice, everything. I think it is going to be good for me and James to have a guy like Trevor (Ariza), (Donatas Motiejunas) and his work over the summer. (Terrence Jones) has improved and to have a vet like Jason Terry come in.

“It is all coming together.”

jenny.creech@chron.com

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Jenny Dial Creech