The Phoenix Suns were at the Orlando Magic last night.  The game was extremely tight until the waning moments when the Suns self-destructed with turnovers and lost 111-99. Beyond the actual game there were numerous side stories: Steve Nash’s return, playoff implications and of course Shaquille O’Neal vs. Dwight Howard.

Much is being made in the media of Shaq’s flop in the game. However, lets look at the context of the situation; Dwight Howard was in early foul trouble and Shaq was simply trying to keep a cheap foul on Howard. Here is the flop:

Here is Stan Van Gundy’s (AKA Ron Jeremy) comments:

“I was shocked, seriously, shocked,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said of O’Neal’s flopping. “And very disappointed cause he knows what it’s like. Lets stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight.”

Let’s be real here Stan, Shaq guarded Dwight Howard one on one the entire game! Shaq was double teamed every time he touched the ball in the post. If you want to stand up and play like a man; have the guts to guard him one on one.

The comparison between Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal are pretty laughable at this point in their careers. Shaq had 19 points 11 rebounds 3 steals and 2 blocked shots along with 4 turnovers. On the other hand, Howard has 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block and 5 turnovers. Dwight Howard is 23 years old and should easily outplayed an aging Shaquille O’Neal if he was the next coming of “Superman”. Don’t get me wrong, I love what Dwight Howard brings defensively to a team; but a 23 year old Shaq would crush a 23 year old Dwight Howard plain and simple. As a 23 year old, Shaquille O’Neal averaged 29.3 ppg, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 58% from the field. The comparison is slightly off due to the fact Howard is in his 5th year already being drafted directly out of High School. However here is Dwight Howard’s numbers so far this year: 20.9 ppg, 14 rebounds and 2.9 blocks a game while shooting 57% from the field. The main difference between these players is where there teams went based on their ability, Shaq in his third season led the Magic to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and led them to the finals where they were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. Dwight Howard has led the Magic to one playoff series win (2008 vs. Toronto Raptors) in 5 years.

So to conclude, Shaquille O’Neal will remain Superman (by the way not self-proclaimed like Dwight Howard), and until Dwight Howard wins a playoff series of signifigance he will remain Wonder Boy in my book!