The long-running feud between NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard has reignited, but Shaq claims he’s ready to bring it to an end—on his terms. The latest chapter in their contentious history unfolded after Howard addressed their rivalry on the Ray Daniels Presents podcast.
Howard Speaks Out
During the podcast, Howard reflected on his turbulent relationship with Shaq, claiming he never sought to emulate the Hall of Fame center but admitted to drawing inspiration from him and other basketball greats.
“I never wanted to be Shaq at any level,” Howard said. “Now, have I wanted to take certain things from him, his life, and implement [them] with my life? Hell yeah. I do that with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James—all these people—because they have certain things that I’m like, hey, I could use that and make myself better.”
Howard expressed frustration over Shaq’s repeated public criticisms, emphasizing that he has never disrespected O’Neal but feels the animosity has reached a breaking point.
“There’s times where I’m like, ‘Yo, Shaq, this gotta stop, man,’” Howard said. He even revealed that he once attempted to reach out through a mutual acquaintance from Dancing with the Stars to arrange a sit-down conversation, only to have the effort go nowhere.
The feud, according to Howard, has gone beyond basketball. “We done passed the basketball. You’re not in the NBA. I’m not in the NBA. We still going on with the pettiness. So, at what point does it stop? Do you have a real issue? Because if you do, let’s move past it. If we gotta fight it out, let’s fight it out.”
RELATED: How Shaquille O’Neal’s Mother Helped Resolve His Feud with Kobe Bryant
Shaq Fires Back
Shaq, who has never been one to mince words, responded to Howard’s comments on Twitter, making it clear that he no longer plans to entertain the feud.
@DwightHoward the fact u think I care about u is funny, but I won’t ever bring your name up again sensitive big man, a jokester that can’t take a joke. Won’t ever say your name again ever again. Have a great day and now u have been deleted. Have a great day.
Howard’s Rebuttal
Not one to stay silent, Howard quickly fired back, accusing Shaq of harboring jealousy and insecurity.
“I know you care. Cuz yo insecure ass been hating and talking s** for 20 years. You too big to be this insecure. I hope you don’t bring my name up again. 52 years old tweeting me. And still hating,”* Howard wrote. “Now all this time you was joking. You always been jealous. Jealous of Kobe, Penny, D-Wade. You jealous of Charles too. Go move around big lazy insecure ass.”
Howard claimed to have received a long direct message from Shaq years ago, accusing him of trying to undermine his career.
“I still have that long 5-paragraph direct message you sent me a couple years ago telling me that I’m not that great to hate. And you still doing it. It’s 2025, grow the hell up and move on,” Howard added.
Decades of Drama
The bad blood between the two centers dates back nearly 20 years, beginning with comparisons when Howard entered the NBA and earned the nickname “Superman”—a moniker Shaq had made famous. Over the years, their relationship has been punctuated by trash talk, public criticisms, and even challenges to settle their differences physically.
Howard recently escalated matters by challenging Shaq to a boxing match, though Shaq has largely dismissed the idea.
Is the Beef Really Over?
While Shaq’s vow to stop mentioning Howard seems like a step toward resolution, the fiery exchange leaves room for doubt.
With the two personalities often unable to resist trading jabs, only time will tell if this feud has truly reached its end—or if another chapter awaits.
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