Dwight Howard explains Kevin Hart on enmity created by Shaquille O’Neal against him over 'Superman' moniker: "I never had an issue with Shaq”

Dwight Howard and Shaquille O'Neal have been going back and forth in the media for some time. It's been a very strange and unexpected saga, with O'Neal seemingly having a problem with the former Slam Dunk Champion. As far back as 2013, O'Neal has criticized Howard, signaling him out when he joined the Houston Rockets.

Considering Howard spent the formative years of his career in Orlando, where O'Neal spent the first four years of his career, it's easy to draw similarities. Add onto that the ferocious dunking abilities of Howard, who, much like O'Neal donned the "Superman" nickname, and one would think the two would be friends.

However, Shaquille O'Neal has continued to ride Howard harder than most players. Things recently came to a head when the Hall of Famer ripped Howard for signing in Taiwan and playing in a LifeTime Fitness league.

Howard quickly fired back, defending his teammates and questioning why someone who calls himself Superman would be hating so much. He followed up on those comments in a recent appearance with Kevin Hart this week:

"I never had an issue with Shaq. To be honest, I really didn't know a lot about Shaq as a young kid. ... I watched the Magic play, I don't even realize Shaq was on that team until he played the Sixers in the finals. And I saw him demolish (Dikembe) Mutombo.

"I was in 11th grade, and I just remember Shaq beating up everybody. And after that I was like, 'Oh, man.'"

The comments came during an episode of Kevin Hart's "Cold As Balls." You can see the full episode below, with Howard's comments about O'Neal coming shortly after the 8-minute mark.

Dwight Howard's "Superman" nickname

Like most kids, Howard grew up watching Shaquille O'Neal dominate the game. Between his incredible 1992-93 rookie year in Orlando, and his primetime years alongside Kobe Bryant with the LA Lakers, the Big Aristotle was a highlight machine.

Unsurprisingly, during that time Howard was watching things unfold in real time. Although he said that he never tried to copy Shaq, he grew up wanting to follow in the footsteps of the legend. However, he maintains that he never took the "Superman" nickname from O'Neal.

According to the former Slam Dunk Contest champion, he took the nickname from Soulja Boy's viral hit 'Crack Dat' - a dance he says he loved.

"My 'Superman' nickname, that came from Soulja Boy. I used to like to do the dance. So, I think the confusion is, he thought that I was trying to take his nickname and be like him and stuff like that."

If that is the case, then a "clear the air" may be needed. As Kevin Hart suggested, Howard and the Hall of Famer should sit down to hash things out. While Howard questioned whether it should be on or off camera, Hart explained that it's entirely up to the two men, however, he believes a sitdown should take place.

However, there has been no indication that O'Neal is interested in doing so.