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[Saba Sports News] Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal have had a long-standing rivalry, mostly revolving around the “Superman” nickname, which O’Neal believes is exclusively his. Recently, the tension resurfaced when Howard, on his show “Above the Rim with DH 12,” spoke about receiving private and “disrespectful” messages from O’Neal.
“I done already said whatever it is we could chop it up, got no issue with this man,” Howard explained. “He said some things to me, personal messages that I ain’t going to reveal in public, that was very disrespectful.”
Howard didn’t reveal the specifics of the messages, but his comments suggest the feud between him and O’Neal is far from over.
Their rivalry dates back to the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where Howard, playing for the Orlando Magic, wore a Superman cape during a memorable dunk. Fans quickly began calling Howard “Superman,” a nickname long associated with O’Neal, who had the “S” emblem tattooed on his arm. O’Neal, known for his dominant playing style, wasn’t pleased with sharing the title with a younger player.
In a recent social media exchange, O’Neal took a jab at Howard for using the nickname. Howard responded, clarifying that he never intended to claim it for himself.
This back-and-forth continues a years-long public dispute, with O’Neal frequently criticizing Howard for not living up to the “Superman” moniker. While Howard has never openly expressed dislike for O’Neal, he has voiced frustration over the constant critiques.
Their feud likely goes beyond the nickname, as comparisons were often drawn between the two during Howard’s prime with the Magic. Both were dominant big men for Orlando, and many saw Howard as following in O’Neal’s footsteps. However, O’Neal’s legacy includes four championships, three Finals MVPs, and a Hall of Fame career—achievements that Howard’s career, while notable, hasn’t fully matched. O’Neal has highlighted this difference multiple times.
Despite the animosity, Howard has repeatedly said he wants to end the beef with O’Neal. On his podcast, he emphasized that he holds no ill will toward Shaq and would prefer to settle their differences. However, the private messages, which Howard described as “disrespectful,” indicate that O’Neal may not be as eager to make peace.
Ultimately, this feud shows how personal rivalries in professional sports can be fueled by ego, legacy, and public perception. While Howard hopes to make amends with O’Neal, the ongoing criticism over the Superman nickname suggests the tension is likely to persist.