New development in the bizarre O'Neal-Howard Superman feud

Apr 19, 2010, 4:34 PM EDT

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For a long time, Shaquille O’Neal was the NBA’s version of superman. He was really big, all but invincible, and generally overpowering. He even had a crippling weakness. Shaq also really likes being called Superman. He has a Superman tattoo. He once had a giant bed with the Superman logo on it. He has Superman logos all over his car. He once delayed a championship parade so he could attend the premiere of Superman Returns. As I said, Shaq really likes Superman.

Then Dwight Howard won the dunk contest by putting on a Superman cape and pulling of a crazy dunk/throw from the free-throw line. He explained after the contest that he came up with the idea while listening to that Soulja Boy song, but he was inevitably compared to the superhero. Howard has the same hulking frame that Shaq does, and is faster and jumps much higher at this stage of their respective careers. A new NBA Superman was born, and Howard ran with it.

This season, after Shaq was traded into Howard’s conference, he began to voice his displeasure about how Howard had taken his beloved nickname. While Dwight seemed more bewildered by the feud that anything, Shaq got pretty mad about it. Words were spoken. Fans were confused.

What is undoubtedly one of the five most intriguing arguments over a nickname this season took a new turn on Monday. According to Michael K. McIntyre of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Shaq has gotten his nickname officially endorsed by the society that represents the creators of Superman:

The Siegel & Shuster Society, keepers of the Superman flame in Cleveland, say Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal is the true “Superman” of the NBA, ending any debate – if there ever was one – that Orlando’s Dwight Howard legitimately wears the cape.

The society, named after the Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Glenville kids who created Superman, wrote to tell the Cavs that its members “applaud Shaquille O’Neal’s history promoting the Man of Steel, from proudly wearing the character’s emblem tattoo to starring as John Henry Irons in the 1997 film Steel. But most of all, we thank him for being part of the excitement the Cavaliers have brought to Cleveland sports. It’s a whole team of supermen!”

Sounds like area politics may have had something to do with this, but Shaq’s beloved nickname has finally been officially recognized. This may all be a moot point, however, as Shaq gave himself the nickname “The Shaqken” shortly before the playoffs started. We’ll update you on this story as it develops.

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9 Comments (Feed for Comments)

mac - Apr 19, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Man…Shaq is such a baby

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Colin Zvosec - Apr 19, 2010 at 4:54 PM

Shaq definitely learned from Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. Head games fellas… that’s what this is.

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jeff king - Apr 19, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Superboy is available , Dwight

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Sparklemahn - Apr 19, 2010 at 8:22 PM

While I agree with you I betcha would not say that to Shaq’s face with no witnesses around!

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DAVID - Apr 20, 2010 at 7:40 AM

the next feud will be with shaquira!!! shaq you are such a superbaby!

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ILEVY - Apr 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM

Reggie Miller is the original superman and I have the documentation to prove it!
http://ilevy.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/superman/

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ocgunslinger - Apr 20, 2010 at 10:49 AM

I wouldn’t say it to Shaq’s face…..but what a pussy.

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Aaron H. - Apr 21, 2010 at 3:40 PM

So, Superman fans in Cleveland say Shaq is Superman. Can’t say I’m shocked. However, it seems that Warner Brothers/DC Comics who actually matter in this discussion disagree.
WB, DC COMICS SUPER ON DWIGHT HOWARD
Dwight Howard has formed a partnership with Warner Brothers and DC Comics. The WB/DC Comics team along with GSM will explore ideas to utilize the Dwight’s Superman persona in motion picture, television, animation, literature, comic books and merchandising. In addition, WB/DC Comics will work with adidas, vitaminwater, Upper Deck, McDonald’s, t-mobile, the Orlando Magic and the NBA to activate and promote this partnership.

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