Dwight Howard is headed to Springfield, and he wants to be escorted by a trio of legendary big men—including the one he’s spent over a decade feuding with.
Fresh off his induction into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, Howard was officially announced as a first-ballot member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The 8-time All-Star, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, and 2020 NBA champion took to social media to share his gratitude—and made a surprising request:
“I want KG, Shaq, and Kareem to walk me out #HOF.”
While the selections of Kevin Garnett and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar make perfect sense as symbolic mentors and basketball titans, it’s the inclusion of Shaquille O’Neal that raised eyebrows.
For years, Howard and O’Neal have had a public and at times petty feud, largely stemming from Howard being dubbed “Superman”—a nickname O’Neal famously claimed as his own during his playing days. Howard’s 2008 dunk contest performance, complete with a Superman cape, triggered the rift that would later balloon into years of shots traded across interviews, social media, and podcasts.
Shaq never quite let it go. He dismissed Howard’s 2020 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, calling him a “bus rider,” and repeatedly claimed Howard needed to win more titles to be compared to him.
In turn, Howard has often tried to extend an olive branch. He even invited Shaq onto his podcast last year, a request that went unanswered.
However, in a rare moment of what many fans are calling a breakthrough, Shaq recently reposted the ESPN Hall of Fame announcement for Dwight Howard on his Instagram story, followed by a career highlight reel of Howard’s best plays. It wasn’t a direct message of reconciliation, but it was the first public gesture of acknowledgment from the Big Aristotle—and fans instantly took notice.
Social media lit up with reactions to Howard’s Hall of Fame news and his heartfelt request. It’s worth noting that both Shaq and Dwight Howard share a unique bond as former No. 1 picks by the Orlando Magic and as former Lakers centers.
They dominated different eras with similar impact and flair, albeit with different personalities. Howard may never have won four titles like Shaq, but his résumé—8 All-NBA selections, 5 rebounding titles, Olympic gold, and a championship—cements him as one of the most accomplished bigs of his generation.
Howard’s request isn’t just about symbolism; it’s about peace, legacy, and gratitude. And perhaps, with the basketball world watching, Shaq might finally walk beside his one-time rival—not as a critic, but as a fellow Hall of Famer honoring a career that deserves its due.
Whether Shaq says yes or not, Dwight Howard has already shown the humility and grace of someone ready for the Hall. The only question now is whether his longtime adversary is ready to meet him at the door.
