(Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal is undeniably the greatest player in Orlando Magic history.
However, after he left, it seemed like one guy could’ve challenged him for that distinction.
History seemed to repeat itself.
They had the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and they used it to get Dwight Howard, another athletic freak at the center position who looked like a man among children and who could’ve been the most dominant big man right out of the gate.
And while Howard had a more than respectable run in his prime, Shaq didn’t seem to be much of a fan.
For years, he’s called him out and made fun of him, and someone finally asked him why.
In his recent sitdown with JJ Redick for “The Old Man & The Three,” the Big Aristotle admitted that he actually likes Howard (via ClutchPoints).
“I have to like you to be able to say something about you. And I actually like Dwight… And sometimes I will add fuel to the fire to see what type of people they are.”
Shaq on why he criticizes Dwight Howard
(via @OldManAndThree / YT)pic.twitter.com/1lvJ85DWdB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 6, 2024
He stated that he’s just having fun, adding that more often than not, he says stuff to try and test other people’s character, and he’s trying to see whether people are sensitive or can actually look past those things.
Shaq has been overly-critical of some big men in the past, and the fact that Howard was also named Superman may have rubbed him the wrong way.
At the end of the day, O’Neal went down as one of the greatest big men of all time, while Howard rarely gets the recognition he deserves despite being a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best rebounders and rim protectors ever.
Still, it’s nice to see that game recognizes game and that it was never personal.
The post Shaq Gets Honest On Why He Criticizes Dwight Howard appeared first on The Cold Wire.