Shaquille O’Neal addressed his relationship with Dwight Howard during the BIG3 playoffs, putting an end to years of speculation about tension between the two centers.
O’Neal was courtside for the LA Riot’s matchup with the Chicago Triplets when Howard attempted a dunk and missed. The Hall of Famer wasted no time reacting on the broadcast.
“Ohhh just missed a jam. Just missed a jam. C’mon Dwight,” O’Neal said live on CBS as Howard’s effort clanged off the rim.
The moment sparked laughs, but O’Neal quickly shifted to the topic of his history with the former Orlando Magic star. For years, NBA fans and media have discussed whether the two big men had lingering issues, especially given Howard’s rise during O’Neal’s post-playing career.
“We hashed it out. He thought I generally disliked him. I told him, ‘No, that’s not the case,’” O’Neal said, clarifying his stance.
O’Neal and Howard were often compared throughout their careers. Both men entered the league as dominant bigs who relied on size, athleticism, and rim protection to impact games. Howard led Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals, a run that included defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
O’Neal, who won four championships and three Finals MVP awards, often found himself questioned about Howard’s standing among elite centers. That dynamic fueled talk of rivalry, with fans interpreting Shaq’s critiques as dislike.
By confirming that the two have settled their differences, O’Neal removed one of the NBA’s longest-running debates between eras. Howard, now competing in the BIG3, continues his career in basketball while O’Neal remains one of the game’s most prominent voices as a TNT analyst and public figure.
