Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard Trade Shots Online as Long-Standing Beef Reignites [Video]

Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard have reignited their decades-long feud.

Appearing on The GAUDs Show, Howard reflected on their long-running tension.

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Howard claimed he has “never wanted to be Shaq on any level” but acknowledged taking inspiration from several NBA legends, including O’Neal. Despite this, Howard noted, “He’s always had something to say,” adding that he once tried to arrange a sit-down to address their issues while working on Dancing With the Stars.

Reflecting on their relationship and Shaq continuously poking at him, Howard said, “Do we need to throw hands? What are we doing?”

The interview caught O’Neal’s attention, leading him to respond on X (formerly Twitter). “The fact u think I care about u is funny,” Shaq wrote, vowing to never mention Howard again. He also referred to Howard as a “sensitive big man” and a “jokester that can’t take a joke.”

Howard quickly clapped back, accusing Shaq of being “insecure” and harboring resentment for years. “52 years old tweeting me. And still hating. … You always been jealous,” Howard wrote, reigniting a feud that has spanned nearly two decades.

The rivalry dates back to the 2008 NBA Dunk Contest when Howard donned a Superman cape, a nod to a nickname famously associated with O’Neal during his career. The moment triggered a series of jabs from O’Neal, who declared, “There is only one Superman.”

O’Neal, fresh into his post-playing career as an NBA analyst, frequently used his platform to critique Howard, calling him out on everything from his playstyle to his personality. In 2016, Shaq escalated the feud by posting a photoshopped image of himself dunking on Howard with the caption, “There can only be 1 Superman.”

Howard, who initially tried to avoid the comparisons, later fired back, accusing O’Neal of being unable to let go of his time in the spotlight. “Just sit back and relax. You did your thing. Your time is up,” Howard said in response to Shaq’s comments.

In 2024, Howard claimed Shaq had blocked him on Instagram over the nickname “Superman.” Howard also suggested a boxing match inspired by high-profile celebrity bouts, but O’Neal declined the offer.

Howard later jokingly took a jab at Shaq in an Instagram Live.