'It Wasn’t That We Had a Problem' – Former Los Angeles Lakers Star Admits True Feelings About Dwight Howard

O’Neal agreed to be part of his entourage and his former teammate, Dennis Scott, interviewed him before the start of the ceremony. The 7-foot-1 former Los Angeles Lakers star talked about his relationship with Howard, clarifying that he just wanted the younger player to do better in the NBA. He said that there were no bitter feelings between them and that he’s proud of him being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“I’m finally giving flowers,” O’Neal told Scott.

Scott asked him who he’s giving flowers to. Shaq said this:

“Mr. Dwight Howard.

Then, he talked about his dynamic with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

“It wasn’t that we had a problem. You know my leadership style, I learned it from you. I’m hard on guys and motivate them. Some people can take it, some people can’t. But when we met, I told him it’s never hard feelings. I just did that to make him angry. Whenever I made him angry, he played well.”

The former Los Angeles Lakers star hilariously blames rapper for his beef with O’Neal

Howard, who won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, had a hilarious take on his beef with O’Neal. During his Hall of Fame speech, he said that the real culprit behind his beef with the former LSU star was rapper Soulja Boy.

“Shaq, we did not always seen eye-to-eye, but in hindsight I believe it was just sibling rivalries,” Howard said. “We are brothers in this fraternity of basketball, and sometimes brothers fight over the stupidest stuff. I really blame Soulja Boy. . .I just want y’all to know that the true original Superman is in the building today, and it’s an honor to have you walk me out into this arena of greatness.”

The rapper had a hit rap song titled “Crank That,” which mentioned Superman in the chorus multiple times. But ever with that hilarious jab, it’s good to see that O’Neal and Howard are now in good terms.