Let me start by saying I am biased here, but considering your are reading an Orlando Magic blog this shouldn't come as a surprise. But who really deserves to have the nickname “Superman” over the other? Shaq had it first and tattood it on his arm, but Dwight made it his own by flying in the cape for one of the most memorable dunks in the NBA slam dunk competition.
Sometimes I get the feeling Shaq is having an identity crisis with all the nicknames he has like Big Kahuna, Big Aristotle, Big Cactus, Shaq Diesel and of course Superman (among others). Does he really need all these nicknames? Does he really need a nick name at all? His name itself “Shaq” pretty identifies him to most people on the planet! How many other famous people are there named Shaq? Dwight on the other is more common name used by many people some who are very famous. Physically, Shaq is a rare combination of size, strength, and agility (more so in his younger years) that he sometimes appears to be superhuman but if you had to pin a Superhero label on him. I would go with the Incredible Hulk myself not only are the physical attributes closer, but so are the emotional aspects. Don’t make him angry or will leave town and call your city a “dried up little pond”, not to mention the Kobe bashing after his divorce (or trade) from the Lakers.
Dwight on the other hand is the real “Superman”, not only does he have the same superhuman physical skills as Shaq has but he can fly without his teammates holding him up! Dwight looks like a man of steel to the point he looks like he was molded instead of born. Off the court Dwight nearly always has a smile to go with his well mannered interviews and off the court comedy routines.
I have been a Magic fan since the day the NBA announced my hometown was being awarded a franchise. I have watched both of the future Hall of Fame centers be drafted, fight through their rookie struggles and grow up to be considered among the NBA elite players. Both have given me great joy in watching their domination of the paint, but to me Dwight will always be Superman regardless of how his career goes. It fits like no other nickname does.
As for Shaq, I admit to having hard feelings for him leaving town to join the Hollywood scene. Not to mention leading our in state rivals the Heat to their one and only championship. But I will always have fond memories of the finals team you lead and your leading role in helping establish our expansion team in a way that Charlotte and Vancouver were unable to do. To me you always be Shaq Diesel, an immovable force in the paint who knows how to carry the weight of his team.
Sometimes I get the feeling Shaq is having an identity crisis with all the nicknames he has like Big Kahuna, Big Aristotle, Big Cactus, Shaq Diesel and of course Superman (among others). Does he really need all these nicknames? Does he really need a nick name at all? His name itself “Shaq” pretty identifies him to most people on the planet! How many other famous people are there named Shaq? Dwight on the other is more common name used by many people some who are very famous. Physically, Shaq is a rare combination of size, strength, and agility (more so in his younger years) that he sometimes appears to be superhuman but if you had to pin a Superhero label on him. I would go with the Incredible Hulk myself not only are the physical attributes closer, but so are the emotional aspects. Don’t make him angry or will leave town and call your city a “dried up little pond”, not to mention the Kobe bashing after his divorce (or trade) from the Lakers.
Dwight on the other hand is the real “Superman”, not only does he have the same superhuman physical skills as Shaq has but he can fly without his teammates holding him up! Dwight looks like a man of steel to the point he looks like he was molded instead of born. Off the court Dwight nearly always has a smile to go with his well mannered interviews and off the court comedy routines.
I have been a Magic fan since the day the NBA announced my hometown was being awarded a franchise. I have watched both of the future Hall of Fame centers be drafted, fight through their rookie struggles and grow up to be considered among the NBA elite players. Both have given me great joy in watching their domination of the paint, but to me Dwight will always be Superman regardless of how his career goes. It fits like no other nickname does.
As for Shaq, I admit to having hard feelings for him leaving town to join the Hollywood scene. Not to mention leading our in state rivals the Heat to their one and only championship. But I will always have fond memories of the finals team you lead and your leading role in helping establish our expansion team in a way that Charlotte and Vancouver were unable to do. To me you always be Shaq Diesel, an immovable force in the paint who knows how to carry the weight of his team.
Who is the real superman?
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say it WAS Shaq, but it is NOW Dwight.
Why not Superman 1.0 (Shaq) and Superman 2.0 (D Howard)?
ReplyDeletegotta say that if you look at shaq in his early days in Orlando and Dwight Howard they are so similar its ridiculous. Both are giant beasts of men, amazingly athletic, dunking machines, rebounding monsters, and can't hit freethrows to save their lives. What amazes me is that Orlando managed to get the two most powerful players ever to play the game.
ReplyDeleteGator is right.. shaq was superman, but now its Dwight. Turns out Shaq's Kryponite is age.... to bad Dwights kryponite is a small man that can jump real high.
LOL at little Nate. He needed help getting to the rim on two of his dunks in the contest, including the one where he jumped "over" Dwight.
ReplyDeleteWhile I absolutely think that Nate's two dunk wins have more stink on them than Jordan over 'Nique in 1988, I can't help but like the guy.
ReplyDeleteI mean, he's Spontaneous Nate Robinson!
I think Dwight is the superman as i like his play and his actions very much
ReplyDeleteWho is really superman in terms of NBA? They have their own ways of making it on the ring. Of course I'll on Shaqs side. But dwight now is coming his way and Shaq knows it but always been fiercely protective with his legacy and iconography, and would never admit that someone can do it too. bowflex selecttech 552
ReplyDeleteUNTIL I SEE EITHER SHAQ OR HOWARD FLY UP THROUGH THE CEILING....NEITHER ONE OF THEM IS SUPERMAN!!! WASN'T SUPERMAN WHITE????
ReplyDeleteTHE BOTH NEED TO GET AT LEAST TWO MORE SHOTS. I'M TIRED OF DUNKS AND TWO FOOTER'S !!!!WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HOOK SHOT??? 10 FOOTER'S, 15 FOOTER'S. IT'S A LAZY GAME DUNKING ALL THE TIME ...NO SKILL INVOLVED WHEN YOU ARE THAT BIG. SHOW ME A 5'2" GUY DUNKING AND I'LL CALL HIM SUPERMAN!!!
ReplyDeleteAsu ireng
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ReplyDelete