Dwight Howard used his latest accolade to continue his ongoing beef with Shaquille O’Neal. Although both Howard and O’Neal are no longer in the league, both of them, especially O’Neal, are considered to be some of the best centers in NBA history.
Over the years, Howard and O’Neal have exchanged several jabs at each other, usually through social media or in front of the public. This led people to believe that they were not on good terms, to say the least. However, Howard stunned the NBA world by appearing to completely change his opinion about O’Neal
Dwight Howard Wants Shaquille O’Neal To Walk Him Out After HOF Induction
Since Howard managed to carry a young and inexperienced Orlando Magic squad all the way to the NBA Finals, there is no denying that he deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame. After news broke out that Howard would be inducted, the former NBA star took to social media to make a very special request regarding his induction.
Howard requested for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal to be present for his induction ceremony. Moreover, he wondered if it would be possible for them to walk him out.
“I want KG , Shaq, and Kareem to walk me out 🙏🏾 #hof,” Howard tweeted.
The unexpected gesture has left fans questioning his intent. Was it a sincere attempt to bury the hatchet or another way to keep the feud alive? Given their rocky history and Howard’s awareness of O’Neal’s disdain, some believe the tweet may have been passive-aggressive or just trolling.
“Shaq is not attending that s*** 😭😭😭,” one fan said, expecting a disinterested response from O’Neal.
READ MORE: Dwight Howard’s Beef With Shaquille O’Neal Continues as 4-Time NBA Champion Fulfills His Promise
The rivalry between the two has centered on legacy and respect. Both have accused the other of clout-chasing, and neither has backed down. But this latest move puts Howard back in the spotlight and reignites talk of who’s really keeping the drama going.
At this point, the narrative feels one-sided. While Howard deserves his flowers for an elite career, constantly bringing O’Neal into the conversation is starting to wear thin. If he wants to be celebrated on his own terms, it might be time to let the feud go for good.
Regardless, there’s no denying Howard’s impact on the game. An eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and five-time rebounding champ, he dominated the league through the late 2000s and early 2010s. Despite late-career journeyman stops, Howard also won a title with the Lakers in 2020, rounding out a Hall-worthy résumé.
