Is Dwight Howard The Second Coming Of 1994-95 Shaquille O’Neal?

Ever since Dwight Howard was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic the comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal began (Shaq also drafted 1st Overall by the Magic). Howard has long been considered the next great ‘Big Man’ to enter the NBA, and many feel that given the changes in style of play in the league over the last few years, he may be one of the last of his kind. Personally I never bought into the comparisons between Howard and O’Neal. Howard uses more of a combination of speed and strength to dominate the offensive paint, whereas I always felt Shaq had way better post moves that gave him the illusion of being quick. In other words Shaq was brute force, plus some good footwork. That may be why Shaq has had the longevity of success he’s had compared to most successful centers in the NBA. Even with declining athleticism he still has the weight and strength behind him, and still has the footwork. Speed….umm…not so much.

But more and more lately the comparisons between Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal are moving beyond their playing style and into the realm of ‘eerie’. Dwight Howard is leading the Orlando Magic to one of their best seasons in quite some time. Since when? Since Shaquille O’Neal led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1994-95, that’s when! Heading into last night’s game against the Celtics, the Orlando Magic were 33-8, guess what Shaq’s Magic in 94-95 were at this point in the season? 33 wins and 8 losses. Hmmmmm….

Both Howard now and Shaq in 94-95 led the league in rebounds. Howard also leads the league in dunks. So did O’Neal in 94-95. Both players are entertainers and comedians off the court but have shown they mean business on the court. Howard and Shaq also both love to dance! Shaq has always been referred to as “Superman”, but after Howard donned the cape during last year’s Slam Dunk Contest that “Superman” title may be Howard’s now. Unless Shaq has something to say about it of course. They both have a very similar two handed dunking style in the paint. You know what i’m referring to, right? Where they lean back and rock forward feet first. It’s not that they hang on the rim, it’s that they are probably two of the strongest people to have ever played the game. It’s the ‘power dunk’ in it’s truest form.

Is there more than just coincidence here? Could they secretly be father and son? hmmmmm….Can you think of any other eerie similarities between Dwight Howard and Shaq? C’mon here’s a challenge to you statheads out there, you must be able to digg up something, right?

Here is Dwight feeding the comparison’s by looking at his left hand in amazement after a made lay-up in the same way Shaq has been doin’ for years: