Shaq Uncut; Why He’s Not A Dwight Howard Fan

Welcome to what seems to be becoming your daily Shaq Uncut update. In today’s episode, we get to hear Shaq’s thought’s on Dwight Howard.

Dwight Howard is by himself. If he doesn’t get four rings, I’ll be disappointed in him. There’s no one for him to go up against. When I was playing I had [Patrick] Ewing in his prime. I had Rik Smits, Arvydas Sabonis, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutumbo. I had Vlade Divac, Kevin Duckworth. I caught some of David Robinson. [Greg] Ostertag. Guys with size. Now, I couldn’t name five centers.

Dwight Howard and I don’t really have a relationship. I don’t like people who lack originality. The whole Superman thing doesn’t work for me. … It’s kind of weird how he’s handled his career. He wants to be Superman. They’re talking about him going to L.A. when his contract is up. When I go back to the Orlando area in the offseason, they are doing all the same things for him they did for me. But that’s a mistake. He’s Dwight Howard. He’s not Shaq. Be your own man. Create your own brand.

I do feel for him sometimes. It’s all on his shoulders, just like it was all on mine, and when he doesn’t get it done he’s the one standing there trying to explain, even though he put up huge numbers. Nothing changes in the NBA. It’s not always fun being Dwight Howard, but if you call yourself The Man, well, you gotta deal with it.

It’s pretty common knowledge that Shaq doesn’t care for Dwight largely based off the fact that Dwight is a big man playing for the Orlando Magic, calling himself Superman, that likes to laugh and dance and has visions of Hollywood… wait.

Sorry, I have to agree with Shaq on this one. While I think at times, Shaq expressed his feelings about the topic in a rather childish manner but, that’s SHAQ. It’s why people love to hear his soundbites.

I’ve said for years that Dwight taking on Shaq’s old persona does nothing to enhance his brand. My words a few years back:

It bothers me that Dwight is rolling with this whole Superman thing. It was cute during the Dunk contest in New Orleans. But the fact that he’s a big man IN ORLANDO of all places and continues to go forward on the Superman tip screams weakness to me. He even has the Superman theme play when he scores! While Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, one would think that Dwight would want to forge his own identity. Clearly he’s next to take the big man throne but I think he’s THAT good that he doesn’t need to be Shaq 2.0. It seems as if the Magic are still bitter about Shaq’s departure all those years ago because they’ve hoped on the Superman train with Dwight like your drunk Uncle waiting to break out his “Get em Girl” moves once the Goose has him loose.

I wonder if this excerpt means Shaq won’t be playing in Dwight’s charity game in Orlando this month as indicated. Funniest thing about that, the copy I saw said BOTH Supermans would be playing in the game.