Dwight Howard recently helped kick off McDonald’s “How Do You McNugget” sweepstakes by appearing at a Dallas McDonald’s during NBA All-Star weekend. Howard served customers and provided insight on how they could win a trip to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
But shortly after Howard showed McDonald’s customers and his fans how to McNugget, a war of words began to brew between Howard and Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal called Howard out for using the Superman nickname and the two big men suddenly became bitter rivals in the eyes of most journalists who cover sports. Howard and O’Neal battled on the court this weekend and Howard’s Orlando Magic topped O’Neal’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Once the game was over, Howard took to his blog to discuss the showdown with O’Neal.
“You all know that everybody wanted to make Sunday’s game like it was just me vs. Shaq in a Superman battle,” Howard wrote. “But it was the Magic against the Cavs. I’ve really tried to stay away from that mess. I know Shaq said some things, but I’m just not going to let my focus be distracted by a silly argument over a nickname.”
The Cavs and the Magic are on pace to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals and Howard may need to indulge in a few more McNuggets to handle O’Neal and LeBron James in a seven-game playoff series. –a.r.
