Shaquille O’Neal has always credited his mother for teaching him kindness and compassion for people. And whenever the intensity of competition clouded his values, Mama Lucille was always present to remind him of the importance of empathy and respect. Ms. O’Neal did the same, urging the 4× NBA champ to end his feud with Dwight Howard. And he did heed to his mother, although the feuding persisted into 2025. As the Big Aristotle finally addressed it officially, he made sure to extend apologies to others whom he may have unintentionally hurt.
Back in 2022, Shaq wasn’t impressed with Howard’s performance in the T1 League. He said that he could have played much better than what he did. He teased him for scoring 38 points and 25 rebounds in a game there. However, after getting reprimanded, he changed his tone and made an official apology to Howard on the TNT show.
“I got scolded by my mama yesterday for messing with Dwight. So, Mr. Dwight Howard, I owe you an apology. I will never hurt your feelings again,” he said. However, he continued to criticize the 3× DPOY for his game. Things have taken a different turn now.
As Howard showed up for The Big Podcast, both decided to leave the drama behind them. O’Neal explained that the real reason behind his criticism of Howard was only to influence him to play better. He also apologized to Howard’s parents, who might have been hurt by his words.
“Tell Mama Howard I love them. Tell Papa how I love them. I know they were frustrated with me but in this thing of ours. I was just doing it to try to get you to that next level,” O’Neal said.
May 22, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NBA player and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal enters the arena before game three of the 2022 western conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
While Howard was the first to extend his hand to squash the beef, O’Neal too has reciprocated the same energy. After this podcast, we will likely see the two together again during Howard’s Hall of Fame moment. This was after Howard expressed his one wish on X.
Shaquille O’Neal accepted Dwight Howard’s request
The idea of two Supermen isn’t bad when it is Howard and Shaq. Drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic, Howard’s journey to the Hall of Fame is a monumental achievement. Instead of standing in opposition, O’Neal has finally decided to stand by the 8× NBA All-Star’s side. So, when the 3× DPOY asked O’Neal to be a presenter and join him for his Naismith Hall of Fame moment, the Big Aristotle agreed.
“I’ll do it,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said on The Big Podcast. Howard also asked Kevin Garnett and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be his presenters. For the 8x NBA All-Star, the Lakers legend has been a big brother. Howard, during a sit-down for The Dan Patrick Show, revealed that he had a chance to talk with O’Neal when the two met at a restaurant in Orlando.
“We actually—I saw him in Orlando after I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was out at a restaurant eating, with my family and my friends. And the owner said that Shaq was actually at the restaurant…” he noted. The 3x DPOY shared that Big Aristotle has even apologized to him for his harsh words in the past.
As we all know now, those words were meant to encourage and uplift Howard rather than degrade him. And in the latest segment of The Big Podcast, O’Neal and Howard have officially put a full stop to any bitter feelings, if there were any.
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