What up, what up? Hope everybody out there is doing well this week. It’s been a really good one for me because I got to go back home to Houston this week to see my momma, the rest of my family and a lot of my friends back in H-town.

When we got to town Tuesday night, I went to this event for the kids that we had set up at the local Rec Center. Two of my close friends, Emmanuel and Edward White, put the event together and they were the brains behind it. And I really wanted to do it because I’m the type who wants to do whatever I can to give back to the community where I grew up.

You guys gotta realize that some people say they are from Houston, but I’m a Houstonian through and through. That’s my roots and I love going back there. And I try to make a difference with the kids there whenever I can.

Growing up a Houston Rockets fan and watching those guys win championships, I was always so excited to see professional athletes around the city. I just wanted to use my meet-and-greet event to meet some of the kids, give them my feedback and let them know that I come from the same place that they are now. I just try to tell those kids to have big goals in life -- and it doesn’t have to be sports. Just dream big because they can reach anything.

I was a huge fan of the Houston Oilers and the Rockets growing up. Warren Moon and Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler were my biggest heroes. I was a Houstonian through and through and those guys with the Rockets and Oilers meant everything to me. I like the Texans in the NFL now, but I’ve got to say that the Oilers are still my No. 1 team. I can’t let them go even though they left H-town back in 1998. Me and Vince Young are really cool too, so you could still say that the Oilers are still my team.

We had a really good game against the Rockets on Wednesday. We got up by 27 and then kind of coasted in. We need to do a better job of putting teams away, but it’s all good because we still got the W.

I had my mom, my brothers and sister and most of my family at the game. I’ve been in NBA for 12 years, so I’m actually used to going back home now, but it’s still special to me.

The first couple of times back in H-town when I was a young player I was so excited playing there. I was nervous on the court and I always felt like there was some pressure because I wanted to play so well. But I’ve learned to relax and play and treat it like another basketball game.

I trimmed my ticket list a little bit, but it’s still a lot of people. And those courtside tickets aren’t cheap!!! I love going back to Houston, but I’ve gotta say that it’s easier playing in the East and only going there once a season instead of twice.

Anyway, I feel like our chemistry is coming together with the Magic better than it has all season. We know each other so well now, and I think that kind of got overlooked after we added five new guys over the summer. But I feel like we’re on the right track now and we’re gonna hit the playoffs rolling. We just gotta keep it up and finish strong.

Well, you guys be good out there. GO MAGIC!!!

‘SHARD