Los Angeles Lakers have witnessed an interesting saga involving two of their former centers, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Over the years, O’Neal has been critical of Howard, stating that he lacked the certain qualities to reach the level of a truly great player. Howard, on the other hand, has been seeking one last chance in the NBA and has even challenged O’Neal to a fight.

The Lakers' Center Confrontation - Shaq vs. Dwight

Historical Feud

Los Angeles Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, another former Lakers center, have had a long-standing feud. O’Neal often pointed out that Howard didn't possess the attributes needed to ascend from a very good player to a truly great one. This animosity between the two has persisted for many years.In fact, on Friday, when heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson, at age 58, engaged in a highly publicized fight against pro boxer and former YouTube content creator Jake Paul, Howard took the opportunity to challenge O’Neal to a match in the ring. This unexpected challenge added another layer to their already tense relationship.

O’Neal's Stance

On Monday, O’Neal initially declined Howard's challenge, believing that Howard's resume wasn't impressive enough. However, he later softened his stance and set a stipulation for Howard. After his last season with the Lakers in the 2021-22 campaign, Howard had a brief stint playing pro basketball overseas in Southeast Asia. He has been lobbying for one more chance in the NBA and expressed his desire to join the Purple and Gold again.During an “Inside the NBA” segment on Tuesday, O’Neal seemed to change his mind again. He stated that he only fights people who are in the top 75, referring to the league's 75th anniversary team. Howard was not named to that team.

The Potential Fight

If O’Neal and Howard were to actually fight in the ring, it would be a highly anticipated event. O’Neal is taller and bigger, with a more menacing presence. However, Howard is younger, quicker, and more agile on his feet. It's a toss-up as to who would emerge victorious.Regardless of the outcome, such a fight would likely attract a significant amount of viewership and be a boon for the platform it aired on. It would bring back memories of their time with the Lakers and add another chapter to their storied rivalry.