Howard wins the Hall of Fame nod
Earlier in 2025, the NBA confirmed Dwight Howard would be introduced to the Hall of Fame. Howard’s career resume was the most popular of his time. He formed eight All-Stars, eight All-NBA teams, five All-Defense Teams, won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards and helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship.
After the announcement, Howard logged onto his personal X account and shared the people he accompanied him at the ceremony. “I hope KG, Shaq and Kareem take me out,” Howard wrote. The position seems to indicate that he and Shaquille O’Neal buried their long-term hatred.
Hall of Fame Name Host
On August 7, the Basketball Hall of Fame released its official host list. For Howard, the selected groups included Patrick Ewing, Robert Diocese, Dennis Rodman and Dominic Wilkins. O’Neal’s name did not appear, leaving some uncertainty about his role in the ceremony.
O’Neal explains the reconciliation
O’Neal confirmed during a weekend speech to Fox Sports’ Rachel Nichols that he will be on Howard’s induction stage. More importantly, he describes how the two ultimately reconciled.
“We finally have a heart to heart,” O’Neal told Nichols. “I did the same thing with him, and I did it with Kobe (Bryant), (Dwyane) Wade (Penny Hardaway).
“But we put it out. He thinks I don’t usually like him. I told him, ‘No, that’s not the case.’ As a leader, sometimes you have to find different ways to inspire young people.”
Shaq told me this weekend @thebig3 He will *will* be one of Dwight Howard’s speakers, and will be inducted in the Dwight Hall of Fame next month. SHAQ is not currently available @hoophallOfficial list, but he confirmed that he will be on stage with Howard and his fellow countrymen… pic.twitter.com/lzq120zhw1
— Rachel Nichols (@rachel__nichols) August 18, 2025
From competitors to respect
Howard and O’Neal never shared a locker room, but their careers often overlap. Both played for the Orlando Magic and the Lakers, and both accepted the nickname “Superman”, which exacerbated public disputes. Their communication, especially on social media, sometimes becomes nervous even after Howard plays.
Now, as Howard prepares to enter the Hall of Fame, both men seem to move forward. Howard publicly expressed his desire for O’Neal to join him, and O’Neal confirmed that the emotions are mutual.
I don’t read I haven’t read the rulebook 🦆
— Dwight Howard (@dwighthoward) November 18, 2024
