Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal (Images Credit: Getty Images)
The ongoing rivalry between NBA legends Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal has flared up again, and fans are loving every moment of it. The latest incident began when Howard jokingly challenged Shaq to a celebrity boxing match, tweeting, “Shaq wassup🥊let’s make bread 😂.”

Howard referred to “making bread,” inspired by massively successful celebrity bouts like the recent Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, which garnered massive attention and generated millions of dollars.

However, fans noticed Howard didn’t tag Shaq in the post. Howard later explained that he couldn’t tag him because Shaq had blocked him on X (formerly Twitter).

Shaq, known for his bold responses, wasted no time shutting down the challenge. He fired back with a comment: “Gotta have more than one ring to get in the ring with me,” referring to Howard’s single championship as insufficient. Howard replied with a sarcastic tweet: “my bad I didn’t read the rulebook 🦆.” Their exchange has led to a wave of reactions online. Many fans criticized Shaq, accusing him of being afraid to face Howard in the boxing ring.

 

Adding to the drama, Shaq suggested he’d rather fight NFL star Rob Gronkowski in a celebrity match and even offered Gronk the “Superman belt.” Howard’s “Superman” nickname, taken during the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, sparked tension with Shaq, who claims it as his own.

Their long-standing feud features jabs like Shaq avoiding to say Howard’s name on Inside the NBA and mockery online. Howard wants to move on, but Shaq’s focus on an NBA vs. NFL event with Gronkowski shows otherwise. Meanwhile, Howard continues pushing for a profitable boxing match.

The ‘Superman’ Dispute Between Dwight Howard And Shaquille O’Neal

The nickname “Superman” is at the heart of their rivalry. Howard has repeatedly said he didn’t choose the name and has even embraced being called “Deebo” instead. However, Shaq considers Howard’s use of “Superman” an intrusion on his legacy. For Shaq, it’s more than just a nickname—it’s part of his identity, symbolized by a tattoo and years of association with the persona.

Howard’s NBA accomplishments include one championship with the Lakers, which is far less than Shaq’s four titles. Still, Howard believes his nine years with the Orlando Magic, during which he led the team to the 2009 NBA Finals, are just as meaningful. He even said the Magic should have retired his jersey before Shaq’s, which added to the debate among fans about their legacies in Orlando and the NBA.

For now, Shaquille O’Neal seems uninterested in reconciling with Dwight Howard or agreeing to a fight. Whether they eventually meet in the boxing ring or stick to trading barbs on social media, their feud has become an unforgettable part of NBA history. Fans may enjoy their antics, but one thing is certain: both Howard and Shaq know how to keep all eyes on them.