A pair of Hall of Fame former Los Angeles Lakers centers, neither of whom was a stranger to trading barbs with their fellow NBA All-Stars during their playing days, seem to have engaged in such a practice more directly this time, thanks to the joys of social media.
As captured by Legion Hoops, former 15-time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal, and former eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard got into it in an Instagram comments section. O’Neal, already anointed the next big thing when he was selected with the No. 1 pick out of LSU in 1992 by the Orlando Magic, quickly adapted the nickname “Superman” for his Herculean strength and surprising athleticism.
After guiding Orlando to a 1995 NBA Finals appearance, O’Neal eventually jumped ship to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent in 1996. He won three straight championships and the 2000 MVP award during his eight-year tenure there, playing as the alpha alongside sidekick All-NBA shooting guard Kobe Bryant.
Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic drives against Shaquille O’Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Arena on February 21, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. The duo once again got into it, this time in an Instagram comments section.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
When relations soured irrevocably between O’Neal and Bryant, L.A. traded him to the Miami Heat, where the 7-foot-1 big man earned his fourth and final title in 2006.
Read more: Shaquille O’Neal Reveals His Pick for Worst NBA Player Right Now
Howard was drafted by the Magic in 2004, and following his own solitary 2009 Finals loss against Bryant’s Lakers eventually forced his way out of town. Howard, who emerged as the league’s best center by around 2007-08 as O’Neal aged out of his prime, had quickly adopted the “Superman” moniker himself. O’Neal, who was very much still an All-Star, always bristled at the decision. Howard was traded to serve as the eventual 18-time All-Star’s sidekick in Los Angeles circa 2012, alongside fellow future Hall of Famers Pau Gasol and Steve Nash.
“U can’t call yourself me and have one ring that [you were] a role player in getting,” O’Neal wrote, referring to Howard’s lone title in 2020 as a Lakers reserve. All-NBA frontcourt superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis were powering the franchise at that point. “It’s only one baby.”
“Who blocks someone [on social media] over a nickname owned by [Warner Brothers],” Howard responded, “there is no REAL Superman it [sounds] petty.”
O’Neal indicated during a recent episode of Bleacher Report’s “From The Point by Trae Young” podcast that his frequent criticisms of Howard when both were still playing came from a place of appreciation for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year’s game. It sure never seemed like that.
“If I mention your name, it means I love you and respect you,” O’Neal said. “Like, I used to love Dwight. He did something I couldn’t do. I wish I could jump that high. I love Dwight Howard. Other people don’t know. This is my first time saying that.”
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