Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal (Images Credit: Getty Images)

A single nickname can spark heated discussions, as demonstrated by the back-and-forth feud between former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. It started after Shaq claimed that Howard had taken his nickname “Superman.”

After stating that Shaq had blocked him on social media, Howard made another bold accusation against Shaq. During a recent episode of his show, “Above the Rim with DH 12,” he claimed that Shaq had sent him “disrespectful” messages.

“I already said whatever it is, we could chop it up; I got no issue with this man. He said some things to me—personal messages that I ain’t going to reveal in public—that were very disrespectful,” Howard said.

For many years, the nickname “Superman” has been closely associated with Shaquille O’Neal, but Dwight Howard’s remarkable performance in 2008 while playing for the Orlando Magic also garnered him the same title.

This dual claim to the nickname has fueled a long-standing rivalry, with Shaq frequently voicing his frustrations over Howard’s rise. Despite the animosity, Howard has not shied away from responding to Shaq’s remarks over the years.

Dwight Howard Offers Support to Ben Simmons Amid Struggles

Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons is coming off another challenging season, which has sparked much discussion around his performance. Former NBA player Dwight Howard recently addressed Simmons’ situation on his podcast. The former NBA center mentioned Simmons’s difficulties but remained optimistic about the Nets star’s future.

“He was hurt last year. He had the same back surgery I had, so I understand how tough it is to really come back from it… It’s super serious. Their back injuries are nothing to play with,” Howard said.

“I know he’s been getting critiqued super hard because of playing in Philly and stuff like that. He is good. I think this year he’s going to come out and he’s going to have a really good year. It’s just all in his head now,” he added.

Howard recently joined the Taiwan League. He has signed with the Taiwan Mustangs for the 2024 season after being unable to secure a contract with an NBA team.