Shaquille O’Neal Is Finally Listening to Mom Lucille as New Details on Dwight Howard’s Emotional Talk Emerge

A beef that was way too personal in 2025 seemingly ended as Shaquille O’Neal said, “I’ll do it,” to Dwight Howard. Shaq’s answer was in response to the request that Howard had for his Hall of Induction. “I want Kevin Garnett, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaq to walk me out.”Later, they also posted stories about appearing on the podcast, to talk in more detail. But when did the beef actually end? Does the credit go to Lucille O’Neal? After all, she has famously ended some of the beef on her son’s behalf.

Weeks ago, Dwight Howard said on the Dan Patrick Show that he met with O’Neal in Orlando. “We actually—I saw him in Orlando after I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was out at a restaurant eating, with my family and my friends. And the owner said that Shaq was actually at the restaurant…” At the time, the 39-year-old recalled the conversation to be “a real good conversation.” Now, we have further details about their conversation.

“Overall, he apologized, it was just a misunderstanding, like a lot of things be,” Howard said to Daily Mail. Yes, the former champion and the recent HOF inductee said it was Shaquille O’Neal who apologized. Further, he stated that it was a misunderstanding that turned to hate. But now the Supermans are on the same team.

“And we are the biggest men in the world, Supermen. And it’s no way that we shouldn’t be fighting crime together, as people would say, instead of fighting each other, especially with him being a big brother, older male figure in my life.” Dwight Howard continued, “It’s all about respecting anyway, give respect you earn respect back.” Apart from Shaq, DH12 wants Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dennis Rodman as his presenters. So, where does Dr. Lucille O’Neal fit into all this?

It was back in 2022 that Shaq trolled Howard for scoring 38 points, 25 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks in a game in the T1 league. That’s when the matraich of the O’Neal family interfered and told his son to apologize, which he did. “I got scolded by my mama yesterday for messing with Dwight. So, Mr. Dwight Howard, I owe you an apology. I will never hurt your feelings again.” However, the beef continued till 2025, which indicates that the 4x NBA champion might have another intervention from his mother.

The famous beef of Shaquille O’Neal, where Lucille stepped in

Over the years, the Lakers legend did clash with several people on the court. But even in his post-hooping career, the list of beef is not short. The most famous one with Lucille’s interference came when Shaq clashed with his now TNT co-host. Yes, during his playing time, O’Neal came face-to-face with Charles Barkley. The situation only diffused since both NBA stars’ mothers had to step in.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 14: Shaquille O’Neal (R) and Lucille O’Neal attend HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” at Illuminarium on November 14, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for HBO)

Last year, on his podcast, the 53-year-old narrated the story about the incident against the 76ers legend in 1999. Chuck threw the ball at Shaq’s face, and the Lakers legend swung and wanted to continue the fight.

“By the time I got to the back, the phone ring and it was my mother and his mother on the phone at the same time. I say hello and she’s like don’t you hit my baby… She said I already talked to Charles, Y’all shouldn’t be fighting, y’all should be setting good example for the children. We’re all mama’s boy, I didn’t wanna do it but I was like okay.”

Another beef where Lucille stepped in was when Shaq wanted to punch legend Bill Walton. Once again, it was during his playing time, and Walton, the former Big, was doing color commentary, which O’Neal did not like. So, time and time again, the NBA icon’s mom has stepped in so that her son stops hating and hitting his adversaries.

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