Remember when Shaquille O’Neal demanded 50 points from Kobe Bryant and the Mamba dropped 60? DJ Diesel has a tough love approach for those whom he admires. If he wants you to play better tonight, chances are that he will criticize you on TV or through his social media. He will harshly shed light on your weaknesses. It worked for Bryant and others. He is likely doing it for the Frenchman too. And he demanded the same in the past from former Orlando Magic player Dwight Howard. Did it work? Does Howard feel the same about O’Neal and his career in the NBA?
After the 8× NBA All-Star wore a Superman cape in the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, there was seemingly beef between O’Neal and Howard. This went on for more than a decade. During this time, Howard’s urges to end the beef, O’Neal’s continuous refusals, and so much more were seen. The former Magic legend demanded a championship from Howard to be able to talk to him, only to call him a bus driver after the latter secured one with the Lakers. But there was never a feud, as O’Neal claimed.
He just wanted to motivate Howard to do better. In the latest segment of The Big Podcast, O’Neal revealed that he wanted 3× DPOY to be mad and angry. However, Howard said that these expectations might have confused him during his playing days. “Me being that person I feel like it has got me out the league to be honest with you. When I played on some teams of being mad and like later on that wasn’t what they wanted from me. I couldn’t be as physical I couldn’t do those the things that I was doing in Orlando in some of my days!” Howard said.
As O’Neal agreed with Howard, the 3x DPOY further added, “I’m getting penalized and I’m getting taken out of the league for it so it’s like man what do I do like they said I’m not trying to run pick and rolls but I’m like that’s all I did in Orlando was pick and roll still in the middle of the paint what am I doing different?” “Now you saying I need to post up so I go to Houston I’m posting up…then they say ‘well y’all didn’t win so it wasn’t right y’all should have did something else.’ So it’s like damn if I do damn if I don’t,” Howard said. Perhaps, this approach didn’t work on Howard.
But Shaq has now made himself quite clear. In response to Howard’s request to end the beef, the 4× NBA champ agreed to the former’s one wish which is to join him on stage as a presenter. Amidst the playoffs, fans feel a sense of relief as the drama between the two ex-NBA players has finally ended.
Apr 5, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
But at the same time, there might not have been any beef between the two. As said before, O’Neal has always had a bizarre idea of how to motivate his former teammates. He used to tease Bryant that he wouldn’t be the next Michael Jordan, only for the latter to drop jaw-dropping performances during matchups. He has similarly criticized Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert.
Shaquille O’Neal revealed the reason behind his harsh criticism of Rudy Gobert
After his retirement, the 4× NBA champion took up the job of an analyst and is loved by the fans for his takes. However, sometimes the champ also gets called out for being too tough and harsh in his criticism of young players. One such instance is Rudy Gobert, who often gets brutally roasted by the NBA legend.
However, O’Neal has clarified that his only wish is for Gobert to play better and prove him wrong. During an episode of The Big Podcast, O’Neal welcomed his former teammate, Heat’s Udonis Haslem, and they recounted their playing days. Looking back, and now with his sharp remarks on Gobert, O’Neal assured that this is a tough love approach to motivate the Timberwolves star and that he has no personal issue with the Frenchman.
“It may sound personal, but it’s motivation,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said. Haslem, who has shared a locker room with the NBA legend in the past, added how O’Neal’s tough love helped him with his game. While it might be odd, this is how O’Neal motivates the players he wants to see excel. It worked out for some, but understandably gets a bit too much for the rest.
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