It’s the New Year (more than a week into it, in fact). How’s those New Years’ resolutions and intentions going? While some things change, a lot doesn’t. When it comes to the on-going war of words between our man Shaq and Dwight Howard, well… let’s just say there hasn’t been a lot of change there.
Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard have taken their years-long beef to new heights, trading shots across social media in a heated exchange that has everyone talking. What began as a nickname dispute has spiraled into a full-blown war of words, showcasing the lingering tension between the two legendary centers.
The rivalry started back in 2010 when Dwight Howard adopted the “Superman” nickname—a moniker Shaq had famously used during his career. While Howard initially hoped to keep the animosity on the court, his recent appearance on The GAUDs Show reopened old wounds. Reflecting on their rocky relationship, Howard said, “I never disrespected Shaq, but he’s always had something to say. I tried to talk to him, but it just keeps going.” Howard even expressed a wish for a more constructive dynamic, saying, “Instead of fighting over a nickname, we could talk about what it’s like to win a championship.”
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
Shaq wasn’t about to let Howard’s comments slide. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Hall of Famer responded with a stinging message:
“The fact you think I care about you is funny, but I won’t ever bring your name up again, sensitive big man. A jokester that can’t take a joke. Have a great day, and now you’ve been deleted.”
Not one to back down, Howard hit back with a fiery rebuttal. He accused Shaq of insecurity and jealousy, writing: “I know you care because your insecure a– has been hating and talking s–t for 20 years. You’re too big to be this insecure. You’ve always been jealous—jealous of Kobe, Penny, D-Wade, even Charles Barkley. Grow up and move on.”
Howard didn’t stop there, claiming he still has a five-paragraph message Shaq once sent him filled with criticism, adding, “It’s 2025. Let it go.”
On January 7, Shaq responded with another lengthy post, doubling down on his dismissive stance:
“Still don’t care. I see what you’re doing—your legacy is your new podcast. That’s how you’ll be remembered, and you need views. Great job, Hall of Fame podcaster. But I have an empire to run. I’m too old for this. Love you, son.”
From Shaq’s digs at Howard’s podcast to Dwight’s accusations of jealousy, it’s clear this feud is far from over. While both players have cemented their legacies on the court, their off-court drama continues to grab headlines.
At this point, it’s safe to say the only thing these two NBA legends agree on is that their rivalry isn’t going away anytime soon. Whether it’s about nicknames or legacy, the battle between Superman 1.0 and Superman 2.0 rages on.
What do you think about Shaq and Dwight’s latest face-off? Let us know in the comments below!