One of the highlights of Dwight Howard’s long-awaited Hall of Fame induction was that his longtime rival, Shaquille O’Neal, presented him with the honor on stage. Their reconciliation won hearts, but what brought about the transformation? There were practically trading jabs at the drop of a hat till now.
Advertisement
The beef between the two big men started when Howard took the ‘Superman’ gimmick from Shaq during the 2008 Dunk Contest. After that, Shaq rarely missed a chance to criticize Howard’s play. The long-running feud is exactly what left many perplexed when DH chose Shaq to induct him into the Hall of Fame.
It seems now that Shaq’s tough approach was intended to push Howard to greatness. Howard, on his part, described it as a ‘sibling rivalry.’ However, there was a time when real animosity existed between the two. Reportedly, they reconciled over the past year, of all places, at a hookah lounge, one of Shaq’s vices.
“I ended up seeing Shaq at a hookah lounge… Just ran into Shaq out of nowhere, and I’m like, this is crazy. So I’m like, ‘Man, I’m gonna go talk to him,'” Howard told Rachel Nichols, recalling the incident that happened when he got inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in March this year.
“So, we get a little room, we sit down, we have a conversation, and it got better from there,” the 2020 NBA champ continued.
Howard admitted that the rivalry ran its course for several years, but they had finally gotten to a point where they could simply get along. “To see now that it’s no more, and that we can both move together in peace, and really fulfill the purpose that we [were] supposed to together,” he said.
“There’s room enough in this world for two supermen,” Howard added. “Just grateful that he’s gonna be walking me out and it’s a big honor,” added DH.
Shaq arrived at the Hall of Fame ceremony in style, dressed in a dashing suit that had a floral print on it. Why? Because he simply wanted to give Howard his “flowers” for the incredible career he’s had.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend said, “I’m finally giving him his flowers… It’s big [moment] for him, it’s big for his family, it’s big for the big men alliance, of which I’m the reigning President…”
Shaq: “Why am I wearing this blazer?”
Dennis Scott: “Why are you wearing this blazer big fella?”
Shaq: “… I am finally giving my flowers.”@SHAQ @DwightHoward pic.twitter.com/R3YdE0a1jg
— NBA (@NBA) September 6, 2025
O’Neal is genuinely happy for Howard, showing that rivalries don’t have to last forever. They had their issues and were distant for a time, but eventually realized the NBA community is better with both of them on the same page.
Shaq may not openly admit it, but he clearly recognizes that there’s room for two ‘Supermen.’ It’s something they just might have discussed in that Hookah lounge. And both Hall of Famers can certainly claim that title.
