For nearly two decades, the rivalry between NBA icons Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard has fluctuated between low-key and overtly contentious. However, this enduring conflict seems to have reached an unexpected resolution.
In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal revealed a pivotal moment that reshaped their relationship. He recounted an encounter at a bar that took place shortly after Howard’s jersey was retired.
“You surprised me at the bar. I’m at the bar, and he just got his jersey retired. I’m sitting there, and everybody thinks we were going to fu**** fight. My boy with me; he’s smoking. Dwight comes up with this big, swole, muscled dude, and they stand behind me, ” Shaq shared.
Shaq says he was ‘surprised’ Dwight Howard approached him at a bar in Orlando to squash their beef:
“Everybody think we were going to f***ing fight… I turn, I see Dwight and I’m like aw sh**, we about to tear this motherf***er up.” 😭
(via @bigpodwithshaq, @playmaker) pic.twitter.com/GADEpO4Vdh
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 25, 2025
“I turn, I see Dwight, and I’m like, ‘we about to tear this mother****er up. He’s like, ‘Hey, big fella, can I talk to you?’ So we go in the back, and before he started talking,” Shaq added.
Shaquille O’Neal Inquires About Dwight Howard’s Perception
During their discussion, Shaquille O’Neal probed Howard about his feelings of being disliked by Shaq. In response, Howard revealed a particular incident that had troubled him for years. He recalled an episode of Inside the NBA where O’Neal seemed to ridicule him by throwing his birthday cake to the ground.
“During my career, it just felt like—just watching TNT—there was an episode where you picked up my cake and then just threw it on the ground. I was like, ‘Dang, is he really pissed off at me?’” Howard remarked.
It is now evident that the once intense rivalry between O’Neal and Howard has subsided. This was not the first time Howard attempted to mend fences; last year, he made a public plea for Shaq to end their conflict. Once again, it was Howard who took the initiative to seek closure and demonstrate his commitment to moving ahead.
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