Shaquille O’Neal is known to be a shrewd analyst. The basketball icon has a unique way of pushing players into the light of greatness. We saw it with Kobe Bryant and as recently as Donovan Mitchell. The four-time champion pokes egos to propel his peers to the next level. While controversial, it has seemed to work. However, no one ever understood what his approach was with a fellow big man by the name of Dwight Howard.

Something about the latter being titled ‘Superman’ didn’t sit right with him. At every moment, Shaq seemed to take a dig at Howard. It seemed to be an eternal hatred he had because Howard was becoming the next great Orlando center.

However, we recently found out that he was envious of the three-time DPOY. The video of his confession reached Dwight Howard. In response, he asked for them to settle their long-standing rivalry. And well, Shaq responded in his typical fashion.

Shaquille O’Neal is not ready to be mates with Dwight Howard

While on Trae Young’s podcast, the host asked a very obvious question – what is Shaq’s deal with Dwight Howard? Without much hesitation, he launched into the truth. Surprisingly, he claimed to ‘love‘ Howard when he was on the Orlando Magic.

He said, “Like, I used to love Dwight. He did something I couldn’t do. I wish I could jump that high. I love Dwight Howard — a lot of people don’t know that this is my first time saying that. But as a big brother, I ain’t gonna let my little brother slide. Cause I want you to be better than me. A lot of people don’t understand this thing of ours, they think it’s just hate. No, it ain’t hate, I’m telling you how to get here.” 

Howard saw the video of Shaq speaking about him on Young’s podcast. Safe to say he was touched, and even gave his seal of approval for the same. In the very next statement of his, he decided it was time to end their tension. In a tweet, he wrote, “I never had a problem with you so can we finally end this as adults” 

To be fair, the former Lakers center never really spoke ill of Shaquille O’Neal. Their tumultuous relation is finally heading toward a happy ending. All that was needed from the Big Aristotle was an agreement to be friends. Unfortunately for Howard, Shaq was not interested in the slightest.

He simply replied with, “Nope lol”

As it turns out, it doesn’t look like these two will ever see eye to eye or have a civil conversation. The two Supermen will always be at war. If there will ever be peace, it isn’t in the near future for sure.

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Do you think Shaquille O’Neal should have accepted being friends with Dwight Howard after all that he has said about him? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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