Shaquille O'Neal Once Created His Perfect NBA Player With Very Surprising Selection

• Shaq nominates one-time rival Dwight Howard as his ideal modern NBA player

• This is in recognition of Howard's outstanding physical attributes and dunk contest performances

• Shaq envisages a player blending Howard's physique with a fierce 'dog mentality'

The unexpected took center stage as Shaquille O'Neal revealed his choice for the perfect modern NBA player. While appearing on the show 'Open Court', Shaq bypassed a host of contemporary luminaries to crown Dwight Howard, a one-time adversary, as his ideal player in the current NBA landscape:

"Now, to answer your question, it would be Dwight Howard. The body, his jumping ability, what he did in the dunk contest with the attitude of what Isaiah had, what Barkley had, what Malone had." 

"He would need to have that dog in him. That would be my perfect NBA player today."

Drawing from a rich history of personal encounters and on-court skirmishes, this revelation came as a stark surprise to many fans. The selection underlines an underappreciated acknowledgment of Howard's incredible physical prowess and leaping ability that distinguished him, especially during his illustrious dunk contest displays.

O'Neal didn't stop at recognizing Howard's physical attributes; he envisioned coupling it with the 'dog mentality,' an attitude epitomized by legends such as Isaiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone. This unyielding spirit and competitive fire, according to Shaq, would forge the consummate player in the modern game, balancing physical might with an indomitable spirit, the sheer will to succeed against all odds, fuelled by an internal force bordering on ferocity.

It was an insightful glimpse into Shaq's philosophy of what makes a player truly great in the fiercely competitive world of the NBA, steering away from obvious choices to spotlight a sometimes controversial, yet undeniably talented figure in Dwight Howard.

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Shaquille O'Neal Trolls Dwight Howard For A Losing Record In Taiwan

Shaquille O'Neal took a jab at Dwight Howard over his performance in Taiwan with his team, the Taoyuan Leopards. During a segment on "The Big Podcast" with Candace Parker, Shaq lambasted Howard for his team's poor record of 3-11, implying it's embarrassing to have a losing record in the Taiwan league.

Despite Howard putting up impressive numbers with an average of 24.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, the Leopards are struggling to find their footing this season. Shaq, never one to mince his words, seized the opportunity to ridicule Howard, stating he would never "lose to nobody in Taiwan" and questioned how someone could have a losing record there.

This critical outlook on Howard's stint in Taiwan may potentially discourage NBA teams from considering him for future contracts. Although Howard had a remarkable career in the NBA, being noticeably omitted from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team was a testament to the underestimation of his influence in his prime years.

The recurring criticism from Shaq, a prominent figure in the NBA community, amplifies the scrutiny on Howard, casting a shadow on his enduring career. Whether or not this marks the end of Howard's NBA journey remains to be seen, but it is evident that the rivalry between these two giants of the game remains as fervent as ever.

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Dwight Howard Wants To End Feud With Shaquille O'Neal

In an interview on "Run It Back" featured on FanDuel TV, former NBA superstar Dwight Howard extended an olive branch towards Shaquille O'Neal in an attempt to end the long-standing feud between them. Since relocating to Taiwan to continue his basketball journey, Howard has maintained a jovial demeanor, even humorously trying to recruit other NBA stars to Taiwan. 

However, the joviality paused as he took a serious note to address the lingering discord with Shaquille O'Neal, expressing his readiness to "squash whatever beef" that exists between them. Dwight mentioned being open to various reconciliation paths, including having a dinner or a show discussion, underscoring the urgency given their advancing ages.

The feud, largely fueled by O'Neal’s continuous digs at Howard, including questioning Howard's eligibility for the Hall of Fame, seems to find its root in Dwight adopting the 'Superman' nickname, originally associated with Shaq, over a decade ago. Shaq had ostensibly agreed to cease the disparaging remarks following a reprimand from his mother but did not follow through.

Despite the animosity, Howard harbored hopes of returning to the NBA for a final stint to possibly secure another championship, a wish he communicated during the show. However, his prospects remain uncertain due to the diminished interest from the teams, a realization Howard accepts with a heart full of gratitude for his extensive league tenure.

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