Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard — two of the most dominant big men the NBA has ever witnessed. Surprisingly, their careers share more similarities than one may think. While Orlando Magic drafting both the stars comes as the first and most obvious one, the two players also received guidance from the same mentor — Brian Hill. The fact both players struggled with free throws may seem a similarity to laugh about.

Early on, Howard had nothing but admiration for Shaq, often praising him in interviews. But then, everything changed after the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Remember that iconic moment? Howard showed up in a Superman t-shirt, cape, and all, and went on to win the contest. And in no time, the media was running stories where D12 had been referred to as Superman. But there was a problem—Shaq wasn’t happy.

For Shaquille O’Neal, the Superman nickname was personal. He even has a tattoo to match, and even a collection of cars decked out with the iconic symbol. No wonder the 4x NBA champ called Howard out, saying that D12 hadn’t earned the right to claim that title and the two have gone at each other ever since. So let’s have a closer look at who comes across as more deserving of the title in terms of statistics.

Stat comparison between Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard with their first team

As mentioned earlier, both players started their NBA career with the Magic. While Howard spent longer time with the team (8 seasons) than Shaq (4 seasons), Big Diesel had a bigger impact on the team right from the start. Averaging 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, O’Neal earned the 1993 Rookie of the Year. He clearly started off as a dominant center for the Magic.

However, Howard started off with the Magic as a power forward. And could only average 12.7 points per game in his debut season. But he had impressive figures in rebounding department with 10 rebounds per game. It took yet another season’s time to emerge as the team’s center, starting from the third season.

Now, as per overall comparison, Shaq averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game through his 4 season-long run with the team. A comparatively shorter run, yes, but still a dominant one as he led his team to playoffs in 3 of these 4 seasons, even reaching the Finals in 1995. In comparison, D12 averaged 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game through his 8 season-long run with the Magic. Even he led his team to the Finals in 2009.

Now some of you may argue that Howard played his initial two seasons as a power forward. So, even comparing his stats as a center for Orlando, the 8x All-Star falls short in the scoring department in front of Shaquille O’Neal. Howard averaged 20 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game as a center for the Magic. Shaq clearly has an edge over his successor in Orlando. However, this is just their contribution to their debut teams, but what about their overall NBA run?

Shaq vs Howard: NBA career comparison between the two giants

When looking at the entire careers of Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal, it’s clear both left an unforgettable legacy in the NBA, but in different ways. Howard, over more than a decade and a half, averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

His impact was undeniable on the defensive end. He earned accolades like 2x Blocks leader, 5x rebounding leader, and 3x Defensive Player of the Year. But when it comes to championships, Howard only has one ring to his name. Now, let’s talk about Shaq.

With nearly two decades of dominance, he averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. The numbers speak for themselves, but so do the trophies. The Big Diesel walked away with 4 NBA championships, and he wasn’t just about scoring titles (which he won twice). He was also Rookie of the Year, MVP in 2000, and claimed 3 Finals MVPs along the way.

So, what’s the takeaway? Shaq undoubtedly led in scoring and championship success, but Howard truly shined in rebounding. Does that mean one was better than the other? Before jumping to any conclusions, let’s have a closer look at their faceoffs as well.

The times when Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard faced each other

When two giants like Shaq and Howard face off, you’d expect a series of epic battles, right? But interestingly, they only met on the court 12 times in their careers. What’s even more surprising is that they’re tied when it comes to wins — 6 each, as per the Land of Basketball.

For those who think Shaq would dominate Howard based on career stats, this matchup tells a different story. In their head-to-head encounters, Howard actually had the edge in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game compared to Shaq’s 15.7. And when it came to grabbing boards, D12 again outpaced O’Neal with 10.9 rebounds per game, showing off the rebounding prowess he’s always been known for.

But don’t count Shaq out just yet. On the defensive end, he managed to hold his ground with 1.6 blocks per game, slightly edging out Howard’s 1.4. Even in his later years, Shaq could still be a force in the paint. While Howard faced Shaq in his prime, the Big Aristotle was towards the end of his career. So it’s understandable why the stats favor Howard in this case.

Who do you think comes across as the true contender for the title of Superman on this basis? Some would argue in favor of Shaquille O’Neal for a better legacy, while some still might not be able to get the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest out of their heads. Which side are you leaning on?

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.

 

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