One of the highlights of Dwight Howard\u2019s long-awaited Hall of Fame induction was that his longtime rival, Shaquille O\u2019Neal, presented him with the honor on stage. Their reconciliation won hearts, but what brought about the transformation? There were practically trading jabs at the drop of a hat till now.<\/p>\n
The beef between the two big men started when Howard took the \u2018Superman\u2019 gimmick from Shaq<\/a> during the 2008 Dunk Contest. After that, Shaq rarely missed a chance to criticize Howard\u2019s play. The long-running feud is exactly what left many perplexed when DH chose Shaq to induct him into the Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n It seems now that Shaq\u2019s tough approach was intended to push Howard to greatness. Howard, on his part, described it as a \u2018sibling rivalry.\u2019 However, there was a time when real animosity existed between the two. Reportedly, they reconciled over the past year, of all places, at a hookah lounge, one of Shaq\u2019s vices.<\/p>\n \u201cI ended up seeing Shaq at a hookah lounge\u2026 Just ran into Shaq out of nowhere, and I\u2019m like, this is crazy. So I\u2019m like, \u2018Man, I\u2019m gonna go talk to him,’\u201d Howard<\/a> told Rachel Nichols, recalling the incident that happened when he got inducted into the Orlando Magic<\/a> Hall of Fame in March this year.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we get a little room, we sit down, we have a conversation, and it got better from there,\u201d the 2020 NBA champ continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n Howard admitted that the rivalry ran its course for several years, but they had finally gotten to a point where they could simply get along. \u201cTo see now that it\u2019s no more, and that we can both move together in peace, and really fulfill the purpose that we [were] supposed to together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s room enough in this world for two supermen,\u201d Howard added. \u201cJust grateful that he\u2019s gonna be walking me out and it\u2019s a big honor,\u201d added DH.<\/p>\n Shaq arrived at the Hall of Fame ceremony in style, dressed in a dashing suit that had a floral print on it. Why? Because he simply wanted to give Howard his \u201cflowers\u201d<\/a> for the incredible career he\u2019s had.<\/p>\n