Nearly a decade and a half now since it started, but there still seems no end to the Shaquille O’Neal–Dwight Howard beef. What started off with the media handing Shaq’s identity — Superman — to Howard brings remarks from Big Diesel to this day. However, D12, in a recent Above The Rim podcast episode, made it clear he is not interested in the 5x NBA champ’s identity.

No, we are not speaking of the claim to the nickname (Superman) that started it all. Speaking on his podcast, Howard said, “I never call myself Shaq. Never in my life have I called myself Shaq. I don’t want to be Shaq.” This came in response to Shaquille O’Neal’s comment on an IG post shared by Dwight Howard and Hoops Hall. The post highlighted D12’s statement that he doesn’t need Shaq’s permission for the Superman title, as it’s owned by WB.

“U can’t call yourself me and have one ring that u was a role player in getting. It’s only one baby. And he’s I said it,” Shaq commented on the post. Although the 5x NBA champ meant it metaphorically and referred to the nickname in discussion, Howard gave a literal reply to “u can’t call yourself me.” As for the 1 ring part, the 3x DPOY stated he feels “this is like ego” because Shaq is still talking about rings and role players when none of them is hooping now.

Shaq also responded to Howard, stating that he did not block D12 but just doesn’t care for “crybabies”. The 8x All-Star mentioned there is a lot that he can and he wants to say, but he just let it go. However, there is one person who could have his keen ears out just for the fact that Howard called out O’Neal’s “ego” issues. Yet another one of the popular names who got beef with the 5x NBA champ — Shannon Sharpe.

What is the “ego” clash between Shaquille O’Neal and Shannon Sharpe?

The tension between Shaq and Sharpe began after the 5x NAB champ made a controversial statement about Nikola Jokic, following his third MVP win. He claimed that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was more deserving of the MVP title than Jokic. Thus sparking backlash from many fans and analysts, including Sharpe.

The former NFL star didn’t hold back, calling Shaq “jealous” of Jokic’s dominance on the court. He suggested Shaq’s support for Gilgeous-Alexander was more about his personal feelings than objective analysis. Was Sharpe on to something? The former LA Lakers star sure didn’t seem to think so.

He responded by releasing a song aimed at Sharpe and also posted on Instagram, adding fuel to the fire with a cryptic caption directed at his critics. When later asked in an interview if he’d be willing to sit down with Sharpe to settle the issue, the 15x All Star was clear with his “No”.

He hinted that the tension was less about basketball and more about ego. “When you’re a man, when you’re athletes, you have opinions and there’s ego involved,” he said. Sharpe did not respond back but the Howard’s recent dig might just draw his attention.