“You to big to be this insecure. I hope you don’t bring my name up again… You always been jealous. Jealous of Kobe, penny, dwayde. You jealous of Charles too. Go move around big lazy insecure a–.” Dwight Howard targeted Shaquille O’Neal in front of over 1 million viewers, trying to prove his point in their ongoing beef. At the time, he used Shaq’s former teammates like Kobe Bryant to send an example. Once again, 3x DPOY used Kobe, and this time with Michael Jordan, to send a message to The Big Aristotle.

“Didn’t they say that Kobe was the next Jordan? I didn’t see Jordan take offense at it and throw Kobe under the bus every chance he got.” On 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Howard explained that the media narrative was strong when the Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan comparison were made.

But the latter never disparaged the former, in fact, they shared a brotherly bond. The podcast host, Carmelo Anthony, stated that MJ would often raise the game on the court, rather than talking about it in the media.

Dwight Howard agreed and said that’s how it should have been with him and Shaq. “Okay, but that’s what it’s supposed to be. When we get on the court, I’m going to show you on the court who really is the man. I’m not finna say it on TV.”

In that podcast, the former champion reiterated that he tried settling the beef by asking other people to message on his behalf to Shaq. But even that method didn’t work out as both of them took shots at each other on social media.

In another podcast, the 6 feet 10 star also suggested if there are comparisons, then O’Neal should have taken that as a complement. “What I hated the most is the fact that he always thought I was trying to be him or be like him. But again, if I wanted to be you or be like you, shouldn’t you take that as a compliment and show how great you are as a player and a person?” Michael Jordan and Kobe shared that mentorship bond, which apparently is missing from Shaq and Howard.

How Michael Jordan and Kobe spoke about the comparisons in media

The Bulls legend once answered about the players he would beat in one-on-one situations. The list featured Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Julius Erving, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. MJ would say he would beat others on the list, except one person. “Other than to Kobe Bryant, because he steals all of my moves.”

For ‘Black Mamba’ there was never a question about comparison with Michael Jordan. “I don’t get five championships here without him because he guided me so much and gave so much great advice.” In one episode of The Last Dance, the Lakers credited MJ as a “big brother” and praised him for his guidance throughout his career.

Others may have compared the two, but neither Michael Jordan nor Kobe Bryant ever took the comparison seriously. But in Dwight Howard and Shaq’s case, both of them constantly take shots at each other. And after Howard’s comments, let’s see if O’Neal responds!