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Dwight Howard Makes His Feelings Clear About Shaquille O'Neal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 4:34 PM ET

Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal rank among the most talented centers in NBA history, each leaving an indelible mark on the league. O'Neal—a 4-time NBA champion and MVP—and Howard—a three-time Defensive Player of the Year with eight All-Star selections—both defined eras with their physical dominance and charisma.

Their feud, which began when Howard adopted the “Superman” persona closely associated with O'Neal, festered nearly two decades in the public eye, fueled by constant digs and social media jabs.

Recently, however, the two former Los Angeles Lakers centers have officially buried the hatchet. Both O'Neal and Howard made their truce public during an episode on The Big Podcast with Shaq, which aired on YouTube in April.

Last Week, Howard appeared on the PBD Podcast and detailed how the conversation to squash their beef went in private.

“I was like, ‘I’m tired of the going back and forth on the internet or text message. I want to see him in person,’” Howard said. “He apologized—he said if I ever felt like he was hating or anything like that, that’s not who he is... It took twenty years to have this conversation. I had to stop playing. I couldn’t do it anymore.”

Howard said this exchange took place just a couple months ago.

Today, Howard has transitioned from player to star in Ice Cube’s Big3 League, suiting up for the LA Riot and bringing his trademark athleticism and intensity to the 3-on-3 format.

Meanwhile, O'Neal continues to dominate off the court—thriving as a television personality, podcaster, and entrepreneur. His platforms with Inside the NBA, music projects, and business ventures have made him as ubiquitous in media as he was in the paint.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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