James Harden Comments on Relationship with Former Teammate Dwight Howard

Houston Rockets star James Harden is five games into his 2016-17 season, his first since 2013 without center Dwight Howard, who signed with the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason. 

With the two set to face off Saturday, Harden ensured ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins on Friday that there is "no beef" between the two, though it was rumored that they feuded last season: "Yeah we're cool. It didn't bother me. I know what the truth is; it's no beef. We never got into a heated argument."

As teammates for three seasons, Harden and Howard led the Rockets to the postseason three times, including one trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2014-15. 

But it didn't look like the two were happy with each other, including Harden reportedly pushing management to try to trade Howard at the deadline in February, according to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger. 

Harden tried to clarify with Watkins on Friday: "It just didn't work out. ... Trust me, if we knew, it would have worked out."

While the season is still young, Watkins reported that "there was a different vibe to the team. It was perceived that things are calmer, drama-free without Howard." Howard said:

"

Vibe means we have different players and make them feel as comfortable as possible. That's what I meant by different vibe. That's one of the reasons why we had training camp twice in the summer so they can get comfortable quick and then when we came to training camp at the beginning of the season, guys will be playing a lot better. That's the reason for that.

"

Through five games this season, the Rockets are 3-2, one game better than how they started last year. Of course, 2015-16 saw Houston start the year 4-7 before firing head coach Kevin McHale. 

They managed to finish .500 at 41-41 under J.B. Bickerstaff, but the Golden State Warriors knocked them out of the first round of the playoffs in five games. 

Instead of Howard, it's up to Clint Capela to anchor the center position to provide support for Harden and Co. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.