NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard appear to have put their long-standing feud to rest after Howard made a public appeal to be considered for the Hall of Fame. The two former Lakers big men, who have traded jabs for over a decade, are now seemingly moving toward mutual respect following Howard’s heartfelt comments and Shaq’s surprisingly supportive response.
Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, recently expressed his desire to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, citing his accomplishments and contributions to the game. “I just want my career to be recognized fairly,” Howard said during a podcast appearance. “I’ve done a lot for this game, and I hope that one day the Hall of Fame sees that.” His remarks gained traction quickly, with fans and former players chiming in on social media.
What caught the most attention, however, was O’Neal’s reaction. Known for his often critical stance toward Howard—particularly over their shared Lakers legacy and the “Superman” nickname—Shaq took to his podcast to express a rare show of support. “Dwight had a great career,” O’Neal admitted. “I might joke around a lot, but I respect what he did on the court. If he gets into the Hall, that’s well deserved.” The statement was seen as a major shift in tone, signaling the potential end of their beef.
The rivalry between the two began during Howard’s rise in Orlando, where comparisons to O’Neal’s early career were inevitable. Things escalated when Howard joined the Lakers in 2012, with both players frequently downplaying each other’s legacies. Their feud became one of the more public and persistent spats in modern NBA history, often fueled by social media, interviews, and memes. Despite this, fans have long hoped the two would eventually reconcile.
While there hasn’t been a face-to-face sit-down—yet—this latest exchange hints at a thawing of tensions between the two Hall of Fame-caliber players. As the basketball community reflects on the legacies of both men, their apparent truce serves as a reminder that respect can still rise above rivalry. Whether Howard makes it into the Hall or not, the mutual recognition from Shaq may be the closure fans didn’t know they needed.
