The feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard is among the most famous rivalries in the history of the NBA. It has lasted for over a decade and is known for personal insults, public criticism, and a struggle over who owns the “Superman” identity. What started as a dispute over a nickname grew into a lasting rivalry that has influenced both players’ reputations. Despite both players having successful careers, their rivalry has kept them in the spotlight long after they stopped playing. Here’s how it all started and what happened over the years.
The feud began in 2008 at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Howard wore a Superman t-shirt and cape while performing a dunk, earning him the nickname “Superman.” O’Neal, who had already been known as “Superman” in the league and had a Superman tattoo, was upset. He felt that Howard was trying to steal his nickname. O’Neal criticized Howard publicly, saying that Howard hadn’t done enough in his career to deserve the title. This was the moment that started their ongoing rivalry.
After retiring in 2011, O’Neal became a media personality and continued to criticize Howard. O’Neal often put down Howard’s career, calling him a “front-runner” and questioning whether Howard deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. O’Neal also dismissed Howard’s NBA Championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, saying Howard hadn’t won a title in his prime years.
After retiring in 2011, O’Neal became a media personality and continued to criticize Howard. O’Neal often put down Howard’s career, calling him a “front-runner” and questioning whether Howard deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. O’Neal also dismissed Howard’s NBA Championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, saying Howard hadn’t won a title in his prime years. Howard felt frustrated with O’Neal’s remarks but said he still respected O’Neal’s career.
Howard felt frustrated with O’Neal’s remarks but said he still respected O’Neal’s career. In 2024, Howard disclosed that O’Neal sent him “very disrespectful” messages. Although O’Neal apologized, Howard responded, “You can’t apologize after some stuff like that.”
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The Ongoing Conflict Between Shaquille O’Neal And Dwight Howard And Attempts To Resolve It
Despite the ongoing beef, Howard has tried several times to fix things with O’Neal. In early 2024, Howard said he wanted to reach out to O’Neal for advice, but O’Neal dismissed him on social media. Howard also made playful comments about O’Neal, calling him a “fake Superman,” which only worsened things. The feud turned more personal with each passing year. Both players continued to argue publicly, showing that the rivalry was about more than just basketball.
Their rivalry reached a new point in 2024 when Howard recently challenged O’Neal to a boxing match, inspired by the recent Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Eager to settle their differences, Howard publicly called out O’Neal to face him in the ring. However, O’Neal declined the challenge, saying Howard needed more than one championship ring before he was worthy of fighting him. This only added more fuel to their ongoing feud.
Gotta have more than one ring to get in the ring with me, I’ll stick with a real champion like @RobGronkowski, and you can have the Superman belt, all yours buddy,
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) November 18, 2024
While their feud occasionally hits the headlines, public interest has shifted to their current careers; Dwight Howard plays in international leagues, and Shaquille O’Neal thrives in sports media. Despite diverging paths, their rivalry lingers through public exchanges, keeping their history alive. Howard wishes to end it, but O’Neal isn’t ready to let go. What started as a nickname dispute now debates their legacies, with O’Neal downplaying Howard’s achievements and Howard striving to prove himself. The “Superman” rivalry remains one of the NBA’s longest and most intriguing, showing no signs of ending.
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Clarifies Why He Loves to Roast Dwight Howard Whenever Possible
