“In Orlando, I handled a lot of stuff the wrong way,” said Dwight Howard once. Howard has eight All-Star appearances, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and an NBA championship under his belt, there isn’t much about his career that isn’t illustrious. But his way hasn’t been smooth sailing— troubles were starting with his Orlando Magic departure and it appears the former center has not fully healed from the scars.

A recent Instagram post touched on Howard’s memories with Magic and also praised his time with the caption, “Orlando Dwight was a straight up beast.” But Howard, sharing the post on his Instagram Story, captioned it with a simple correction: “*Dwight.”

This subtle response suggested that his dominance wasn’t confined to Orlando but it followed him to every stop in his career, despite the narrative surrounding his departure from the Magic.

Dwight was drafted first overall in 2004 by the Orlando Magic. Howard was a powerhouse center for the Magic over eight seasons and collected five rebounding titles and two block titles. By statistical standards, his time with Orlando was awe-inspiring.

He averaged 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, having a career-high 45 points in the 2009 season. He was the heart of the team that surprised the basketball world by reaching the NBA Finals in 2009.

While on the court he was a true brilliance, but over time, Howard has soured his relationship with the Magic. Tensions with the organization’s inability to build on a consistent championship contender finally boiled over culminating with the infamous ‘Dwightmare’. His reputation was tarnished by a combination of public trade demands and clashes between him and then-head coach Stan Van Gundy.

“That summer I just thought about what I needed for my career. And when I got back [to Orlando], I let those guys know that I wanted to be traded. … I just wanted a change for myself. I didn’t want it to be done publicly. I just wanted it to happen silently. And I’d go to a new team, start fresh,” said Howard in an interview with ESPN.

In 2012, DH12 was traded to the Lakers, marking the end of an era in Orlando. In his first season with the team, he averaged 17.1 PPG. Moreover, he continued to post good numbers and won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020, still the shadow of his exit from Orlando followed him, with some fans still questioning his legacy.

Howard’s Instagram response to being labeled as solely an “Orlando beast” highlights his desire to redefine how his career is perceived. He was more than just an Orlando superstar; he was a player who excelled across multiple teams. However, despite his controversial exit, his time in Orlando started a feud that has been going on for decades.

Start of Dwight Howard’s ‘Superman’ debate

The “Superman” moniker has long been synonymous with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Known for his larger-than-life persona, dominant play, and charisma, Shaq earned the nickname early in his career and solidified it with memorable moments, including donning a Superman emblem during public appearances. However, in 2008, another player dared to wear the cape—literally.

The rivalry between Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal, two NBA giants, was fueled by more than just their on-court battles. During the 2008 Slam Dunk contest, Howard was seen representing his team Orlando Magic by rocking a Superman shirt and cape.

Upon that, DH12 even managed to win the contest that year. At that moment Kenny Smith had referred to Howard as the next Superman which started the decade-long feud between Shaq and Howard.

Over the years, both the players, especially the seven-footer, had thrown numerous jabs at each other which ultimately went to the extent of having a fight between them. However, Shaq dismissed the fight stating that he doesn’t go against someone who has fewer rings than him.

In the end, it seems like the debate will still go on for the coming season. But who do you think deserves the moniker? Let us know in the comments.