Magic's Dwight Howard won't play overseas, but will work more with Hakeem Olajuwon

Magic star Dwight Howard has pondered the idea of playing overseas during the NBA lockout, calling it a "huge possibility" last month and mentioning China as his preferred destination.

But the Chinese Basketball Association is looking to forbid American players from signing contracts that include an NBA-out clause, meaning anyone who signs in China must stay there even if the lockout ends.

Because of that mandate, Howard won't be playing overseas and will instead continue to work on his game privately here in the U.S.

"They got the rule, so I don't know," Howard said in a one-on-one interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "I'm just going to continue doing what I'm doing."

China, with 1.3 billion people and a growing economy, was Howard's top choice overseas because of its marketing potential. But he doesn't want to miss NBA games to play in the Far East. And, while Howard doesn't want to sit around during the lockout, he isn't enthusiastic about the idea of playing in Europe, where he would run the risk of injury without the same financial incentive.

Instead, Howard plans to work more with Hakeem Olajuwon and continue to develop his expanding offensive game in the states.

Howard worked with Olajuwon for a week earlier this summer and three days last summer, concentrating on Howard's footwork and scoring mindset. Howard reveres Olajuwon, who he calls "Dream," and he intends to visit Houston again in the coming months to work with the two-time NBA champion.

Howard has also been working with a new shooting coach for the past week.

The private shooting sessions are already making a difference in his jumper, Howard said.

"It's looking a lot better," said Howard, who has yet to release the name of the shooting coach. "I've been working with him a week and he's changed my shot tremendously."