It appears there may be a truce in the fight for the NBA Superman.
Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard appeared to have a long-standing checkered history behind them, following the 39-year-old's induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this week.
O'Neill called Howard “My Man” on Thursday's episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” and said he's set to appear in the eight-time All-Star for the Hall of Fame.
Howard asked if O'Neill could escort him during the ceremony along with other Hall of Fame tycoons.
“Shaq thank you, it's an honor for KG, Drod, Hakeem and Kareem to take me for a walk in basketball heaven.” Howard wrote in X earlier this month.
“I'll do it, I'll be there,” O'Neill said on his podcast at Howard's request.
The exchange comes just months after the pair's feud escalated significantly, with Howard mentioning the possibility of a physical altercation.
As a guest of Ray Daniels “Gordshaw” In January, Howard explained how he couldn't crush long-standing beef at O'Neill.
“I've never underestimated him,” said Howard, who left the NBA in 2022 to play overseas. “But he always said something, and there were times when I was upset and it was like, 'Yo, Shack, this had to stop, man.' I tried [talk to him].
“At this point, I thought, 'Do we need to throw our hands? What are we doing?” I've only ever imitated his voice.
The O'Neill and Howard conflict began when both were still playing in the NBA in the discourse surrounding the “Superman” nickname.
Howard adopted the nickname when he joined the league, criticizing O'Neill for not being dominant enough to take on the same name.
January 17, 2011. EPA
“What I hate most is the fact that he thought I was trying to be him or that I was trying to be like him,” Howard said. “But if I want to be you or be like you, why not accept it as a compliment and show how great you are as a player or person? I didn't want to be from him to SHAQ.
