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Bully Shaq Needs to Lay Off Dwight Howard

Unlike Jordan, O'Neal too insecure to embrace his legacy

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 5:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – What is Shaq’s problem? He towers over his colleagues, both physically and statistically, yet he stoops to petty behavior with his continued derision of Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard—a man who idolizes O'Neal. “Howard is 23 years old, and Shaq owes it to the league, to common decency, to be civil with this kid,” Adrian Wojnarowski writes for Yahoo! Sports.

Howard says he’s puzzled by Shaq’s insults, which include “impostor,” but a friend of both players says the comments stem from insecurity. “All Dwight Howard ever wanted was to be the next Shaquille O’Neal. Michael Jordan always had been secure enough in his legacy, his greatness, to embrace Kobe and LeBron. You have to wonder: Will Shaq ever be?”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, right, looks for an opening around Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

In this May 14, 2006 file photograph, Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal talks while sitting on the bench during the third quarter of an NBA second round playoff game against the New Jersey Nets, in East Rutherford,... (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Shaquille O'Neal feels threatened by Dwight Howard, a friend of both players says. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz,file)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard says he doesn't know why his idol Shaquille O'Neal constantly belittles him. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Howard always seemed to crave Shaq’s counsel, his respect, but Howard long has been the target of humiliating insults. - Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

wwwonderer

Jun 8, 2009 11:25 AM CDT

Both of you have very valid points. The last time Shaq looked impressive was the championship in Miami. He looked AMAZING that post season. I saw pick and roll defense, as well as ON BALL defense I hadn't seen in years. Oh and he actually ran back on defense a bit.

Snowleopard

Jun 8, 2009 4:53 AM CDT

shaq sux now anyway. every suns game I turned on this year he was just sitting on the sidelines. first time in years suns haven't been to the playoffs. Shaq is getting lazy.

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Bully Shaq Needs to Lay Off Dwight Howard