Dwight Howard denies stealing Shaquille O’Neal’s Superman moniker: “Kurt Rambis was the Superman before Shaq”

Dwight Howard's dominance in the paint didn't last long as he became prone to injury after leaving the Orlando Magic in 2012. While in his prime, though, he earned the nickname Superman. Not everybody loved the idea of it, especially Shaquille O'Neal.

On Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast, Howard detailed his relationship with Shaq early in his career. That included when the four-time champion started getting sour over Howard's persona.

It's well-known that Shaq started acting out towards the 2004 No. 1 pick after he donned the Superman costume during a Slam Dunk contest in 2008. For Howard, it's all fun and games, but O'Neal took it seriously.

"I wanted to to do whatever Shaq did," Howard said. "If that was dunking on everybody, I wanted to dunk on everybody. But he took offense to it like I was trying to disrespect him. The first Superman was Kurt Rambis, if you really wanna get technical. Kurt Rambis was the Superman before Shaq, so did we both get it from him?"

"I got the nickname Superman from Soulja Boy, because he had a song called 'Superman.'"

Both players were often compared to each other as the two were drafted by the Magic with the first pick. Not only that, they also moved to Los Angeles to join Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. However, only Shaq was able to win championships. Howard made a second attempt as a Laker late in his career to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis win the 2020 NBA championship.

Dwight Howard was one of the best centers of the 2000s. His combination of size, strength and skill separated him from the rest of the league. The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year is currently a free agent and last played for the LA Lakers last season.

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Dwight Howard could help the Warriors with their interior defense

Dwight Howard with the LA Lakers

Although he's in the latter years of his career, Dwight Howard, who will turn 37 in December, has proven that he can still contribute to any team. In the past three seasons, Howard has averaged a block a game, boosting the interior defense of the Lakers and the Philadephia 76ers. With Howard as a current free agent, the Golden State Warriors should consider offering him a contract.

The Warriors are in the 23rd spot when it comes to blocks as a team with 4.3, which isn't impressive. Their best rim protector is Draymond Green, and his height doesn't help him be a solid interior defender. Golden State (3-6) has been losing a lot as well lately, so any additions or changes could boost the team's morale.

Dwight Howard isn't a heavy offensive player anymore, so all he has to do is protect the paint. As the backup for Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid over the past two seasons, he's done a tremendous job in being the last line of defense. The eight-time All-Star isn't the answer to the Warriors' struggles, but he could help them.

According to reports, the Warriors will be resting Green, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins despite having a four-game losing streak.