Dwight Howard Makes Blunt Admission About Playing Against Shaquille O'Neal

The eight-time All-NBA selection recently appeared on a podcast with newly acquired Brooklyn Net Michael Porter Jr to discuss basketball, faith, and general off-court shenanigans. 

When discussing some of his toughest opponents, Howard described the difficulty in guarding Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. “Shaq was tough cause he's he was 395 [pounds],” said Howard. “He was just heavy, and he's 7'2", 7'3". I'm really 6'9", 6'10" and that's giving up a lot of height, size, and everything. And I just tried to make sure I kept him out anytime we played, meet him at half court, and just keep fighting from halfcourt all the way down. Don't let him get anywhere in the paint 'cause it's over with. So imagine when he was 25.”

The two Hall of Famers have their fair share of history in terms of Internet debacles. Initially, O’Neal talked down on Howard publicly due to Howard’s decision to wear a Superman costume in the 2008 Dunk Contest. This was a former nickname of O’Neal, so he felt that Howard was not dominant enough to claim the title. This led to the 15-time All-Star continuously diminishing Howard’s greatness throughout his career; this ultimately led to Howard firing back about O’Neal’s post-playing career. 

Before his Hall of Fame induction, Howard saw O’Neal at a restaurant and walked up to him, which inevitably led to the two having a conversation to clear up their history and officially move on (via PBD Podcast). As a result, O’Neal presented Howard at the Hall of Fame induction, and the two have publicly discussed their new positive relationship.