Is this the end of the decade-old beef? This new year brought a new ray of hope for ex-NBA player Dwight Howard. He was just honored with the Magic Hall of Fame. And as per sources from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 8x All-Star has been selected as a first-ballot inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. It’s a double celebration! And the champ might have another reason to celebrate, as the years-old feud with a former NBA player seemingly comes to an end.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently reshared the image from ESPN on his Instagram story. This is likely a nod of approval from the legend. The former Orlando Magic player has also dropped the names of the legends he wants to be his presenters for the honor. “I want KG , Shaq, and Kareem to walk me out 🙏🏾 #hof” he said. 

Shaq is yet to comment. The beef between the two started a long time ago, for a reason you might not think much of. Even Howard himself didn’t give it much thought before rocking a Superman cape at the Slam Dunk competition in 2008. The Magic fans also had begun to call Howard “Superman.”However, O’Neal who is also referred as Superman didn’t like the gesture much.

That was the beginning, followed by a series of jabs from the Big Aristotle directed at the 3 x DPOY. While Howard has often initiated efforts to make amends, they were met with refusal. The 4x NBA champ has a tough-love approach toward players. He uses sharp criticism to motivate those he likes. He did the same with Kobe Bryant. Was this what he was trying to do with Howard?

O’Neal even mentioned in his book that he would be disappointed if Howard didn’t win four titles. “Dwight Howard is by himself. If he doesn’t get four rings I’ll be disappointed in him. There’s no one for him to go up against,” he added. It could be seen as a motivational message, but he has always presented it in the form of criticism.

What did Shaquille O’Neal think about Dwight Howard’s championship?

For a long time, the Los Angeles Lakers legend demanded that Howard must have championship titles to be able to compete with him. However, after Howard won one with the Lakers, O’Neal wasn’t pleased and even called him a “bus rider.” However, he praised JaVale McGee who was also a role player in the Lakers’ team. 

O’Neal then went on to declare that Howard should win more than one championship title to be acknowledged by him. After last year’s spectacle of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, Shaq was excited to recreate something similar, but with the NBA and NFL. That was when Howard took to X to suggest a matchup between him and Shaq. 

The Big Aristotle responded, but not in the way the former Orlando Magic player would have wanted. “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,” he wrote on X

The feud clearly hadn’t ended between the two. So now, with Howard receiving the ultimate highest honor, O’Neal seemingly no longer has any reason. Will O’Neal accept Howard’s request? Considering his earlier silent gesture, O’Neal might think to mend fences.