Dwight Howard‘s career has been incredibly similar, and at the same time incredibly different from Shaquille O’Neal‘s. Like O’Neal, Howard was drafted No. 1 overall and made a Finals appearance with the Orlando Magic. He also ultimately moved on to play with the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard, like O’Neal before him, self proclaims as ‘Superman’ as well.
But that’s where the similarities end.
O’Neal is a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, two-time scoring champion, eight-time All-NBA first team member, one-time league MVP and future first-ballot Hall of Famer just to name a few of his numerous accolades.
Sure, Howard’s racked up his fair share of achievements as well and at 30 years old has plenty of time to accumulate some more. But let’s be honest: He’s no Shaq.
O’Neal recently took to Facebook to remind Howard of this fact.
There can only be 1 Superman !!! #ME
Posted by Shaquille O’ Neal on Monday, February 29, 2016
O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for his career.
Howard’s averaging 14.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks thus far in his. Howard is undoubtedly the better defender. However, the two really aren’t comparable. Anyone who tells you something to the contrary is either in Howard’s camp, or just a Shaq hater.