A Decade of Ongoing Rivalry Between Shaq and Dwight Howard

A Decade of Ongoing Rivalry Between Shaq and Dwight Howard

In the world of basketball, few feuds have captured the attention like the one between Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard. This rivalry, which began in the early 2000s, has spanned over two decades and shows no signs of cooling down.

The roots of this animosity can be traced back to their time together in Orlando and later in Los Angeles. One of the most significant points of contention was Dwight's use of the Superman persona, a nickname and persona that Shaq claimed as his own. In 2009, Dwight impersonated Shaq on IBeatYou, and in the same year's dunk contest, he donned a Superman cape, further fuelling Shaq's ire.

Shaq, a staunch defender of his Superman persona, had incorporated it into his first rap album, had a Superman tattoo, ring, and even a license plate on his car. When Dwight adopted the persona, Shaq felt it was a direct insult, and the tension between the two escalated.

Over the years, the feud has played out on various platforms. In 2012, Shaq took a shot at Dwight while freestyling on the Comedy Shaq Network. The following year, he roasted Dwight Howard on Shaqtin' A Fool. In 2014, he posted a message on his IG and Facebook accounts with the phrase, "There Can Only Be One".

Dwight has not shied away from responding to Shaq's digs. In 2012, he called himself Superman and won a dunk contest while wearing a Superman cape. In 2019, he challenged Shaq to a roast battle. However, Shaq has consistently dismissed Dwight, stating he only battles champions and Dwight is not in his league.

The feud reached a new level in 2017 when Shaq made a diss song about Dwight, aka Fake Shaq, taking a shot at him. The following year, Shaq and Charles Barkley cracked up about the Hawks making a tribute video for Dwight. In 2018, there was a reaction segment on Wild 'N Out related to the Shaq and Dwight beef.

In 2010, a 38-year-old Shaq scored 20 points and dunked on Dwight, who was on the All-NBA 1st team at the time. This moment, along with Shaq's consistent dissing, has kept the feud alive.

Despite the ongoing feud, there has been a glimmer of reconciliation. In 2025, after Dwight's Hall of Fame induction, it appears the beef between the two may have finally ended. However, in 2024, Dwight challenged Shaq to a boxing match, suggesting that the rivalry may still be simmering beneath the surface.

As the years pass, the feud between Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard continues to be a fascinating aspect of basketball lore. Whether it's through rap songs, roasts, or social media posts, fans eagerly await the next move in this long-standing battle.