Dwight Howard left the NBA to play in Taiwan. That did not cease Shaquille O’Neal from going at him.
Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the Taiwanese T1 League, and whereas he had a monster debut for the squad, the staff has struggled. The Leopards are in final place with a 3-11 report. Howard is averaging 24 factors and 14.1 rebounds, however even alongside former Memphis Grizzly Deyonta Davis, the staff is not profitable.
O’Neal mocked him on The Big Podcast, his YouTube present. “Any person despatched me that they’ve a dropping report. I ain’t dropping to anyone in Taiwan, I will inform you that,” O’Neal stated. “How do you’ve gotten a dropping report in Taiwan?”
It isn’t the primary time O’Neal has criticized Howard, who adopted in his footsteps by taking part in for the Orlando Magic and leaping to the Los Angeles Lakers. It is exhausting to consider that that is the muse for a protracted beef, however it appears to have began as a result of Dwight Howard began utilizing the “Superman” nickname.
O’Neal thought he’d staked a declare to the moniker – he even has a Superman tattoo on his arm – however Howard adopted it as his personal. He even did it for the Slam Dunk Contest in 2008.
Ever since then, O’Neal hasn’t hesitated to go after Howard for any cause. For not dominating sufficient within the submit, for not respecting O’Neal sufficient and for solely profitable a dunk contest. O’Neal’s “Inside The NBA” counterparts, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, often tweak O’Neal by calling Howard “Superman,” which is probably why the feud has gone on for years.
For his half, Howard claims to be confused by all of the hostility. He responded to O’Neal on Instagram Reside, saying O’Neal was “disrespectful” of the Taiwan league.
“Very first thing I wish to say is, you gotta cease hating brother. You gotta cease hating! I’ve by no means in my life got here at you about your basketball profession, your loved ones, your children, something of the type,” Howard said, earlier than acknowledging that he had made enjoyable of Shaq and mimicked his voice.
That may not have affected O’Neal, however the conclusion to his assertion seemingly did. “You too large to be hating. You suppose to be Superman, the unique Superman. Shaquille O’Neal. The unique Superman is hating? The OG Superman is hating?” Howard requested.
If Howard wished O’Neal to go away him alone, he should not have introduced up Superman. Now O’Neal might be scouring the Taiwanese field rating and spotlight reels for ammunition to proceed “hating.” The Taiwanese basketball league has by no means been featured on “Shaqtin’ a Idiot” earlier than, but when Howard has a blooper, you already know Shaq will be certain TNT’s viewers sees it now.
