Shaquille O’Neal Forced To Admit Dwight Howard’s Orlando Supremacy As Face Falls Upon Known Verdict

Shaquille O’Neal has always had a flair for feuds. Hardly any rivalries could be as memorable as his with Dwight Howard. This battle of the “Supermen” kicked off years back over that very nickname, with both centers claiming rights to it. So, when O’Neal had to face the truth about Howard’s achievements in Orlando on a recent Inside the NBA segment, things quickly got awkward. Shaq, usually the life of the show, looked anything but amused as he reluctantly acknowledged Howard’s place in Magic history.

As Ernie Johnson led the “EJ’s Neat-O Stat of the Night” segment, Shaq faced the ultimate trivia test: could he name the Orlando Magic’s all-time leading scorer? Easy? For you, maybe, but for Shaq, this one struck a nerve. After a pause, Shaq finally held up his answer, written on a card—Dwight Howard. He didn’t seem thrilled about it, making a face that said it all.

Interestingly, Shaq barely spoke after writing Howard’s name, making his feelings toward the former Magic star clear. Regarding the other players, he was quick with responses and commentary. But with Howard’s name, he simply held up his card and stayed silent. It’s a rivalry that refuses to die, and this moment only fueled the ongoing tension between the two centers.

Both players donned the moniker during their careers, but O’Neal took offense when Howard embraced it without his blessing. In true Howard fashion, Howard never missed a chance to poke fun at Shaquille O’Neal’s stance. “Why do I have to ask him and not Warner Brothers?” he once joked on his Above the Rim show, clearly dismissing Shaq’s feelings. “They own the damn rights to Superman, not Shaq.” That quip only cemented the back-and-forth that keeps fans glued to the drama between these two NBA titans.

Shaq-Howard “Superman” feud

It all started with the viral clip—and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t take kindly to Dwight Howard’s bold claims. The four-time NBA champ made it clear there’s only “one Superman” in the league, and in Shaq’s eyes, Howard isn’t him. “You can’t call yourself me and have one ring that you was a role player in getting. It’s only one baby. And he’s—I said it,” O’Neal commented, leaving no doubt about his stance on the matter.

But Howard wasn’t about to stay silent. Responding using his podcast’s Instagram, he shot back, “@Shaq I never called myself you! This is petty. My nickname is DEEBO! Other people called me Superman & we could’ve talked out whatever issue there is but you got me blocked. But it’s all love Shaq. Keep being a legend!”

In fact, Howard later added another jab, laughing off the entire nickname issue. “Who blocks someone over a nickname owned by Warner Brothers?” he commented from his personal Instagram account, adding a crying-laughing emoji for emphasis. For Howard, Shaq’s response seemed a little overboard, if not downright “petty.”

Shaq, of course, didn’t hold back, denying any blocking and dismissing Howard’s complaints as “crybaby” behavior. “I didn’t block you. I just don’t care for crybabies,” he quipped, adding a bit of a low blow, “Enjoy yourself in Taiwan, hope u win.” And just when it seemed the drama might cool off, Howard hinted at wearing a Superman cape on Dancing with the Stars—keeping the feud alive in full swing.