The battle of bars started after Dame's appearance on Joe Budden’s eponymous podcast in September. Speaking with the rap vet, the 29-year old laid claim over who else is the best rapper in the NBA, bar none, asserting that Shaq’s pen game was no comparison to his. As he sees it, Shaq owes his rap success to his basketball legacy more than his own lyrical skills. 

“I think I rap better than Shaq. People weren't looking at it like he was a real rapper," Lillard explained on The Joe Budden Podcast. "It was like, 'That's Shaq rapping.' So, of course, it was a big deal."

When Shaq caught wind of his words, the NBA giant wasted no time taking to the mic. Unloading a verbal attack against Lillard’s court kills, he penned, "I [accept] all challenges" on Instagram. 

“Legendary I'm a hip-hop scholar / I'm tryin' to get a billion who gives a f**k about a D.O.L.L.A / Take ya time to respond, there's no hurry / You’ll never be Westbrook, never be Steph Curry,” the 47-year-old rapped over Dr. Dre's "What's the Difference."

"Dame shoot jumpers / Shaq still bang on it / MVP candidate you are not one / Platinum plaques on my wall go and get you some / Lyrically, I’m three-time Finals MVP / I can’t believe some clown is testing me.”

In true trailblazer form, Lillard swiftly responded. 

“Ha...training camp starts tomorrow but he’s definitely getting’ a round out of me. Just wait,” he promised on Twitter. “Check back in the AM.” Before heading to the Blazers training camp kickoff on Tuesday (Oct. 1), Lillard dropped off “Reign Reign Go Away” on the social platform with a link to his official SoundCloud track.

ICYMI: Shaq famously released his third studio album, You Can’t Stop the Reign, in 1996, so Lillard's apparently done his research on this one. 

“I’m new school, got new hits. Space Jam, not Blue Chips/ Hang Man, you shoe is s**t. I got Dame Six/ Said yourself that I’m a Tesla, no longer need diesel gas / All the money in the world but traded you for Penny,” Lillard hit back. The baller used a photo of a teary-eyed Shaq from his recent appearance on Hot Ones for the track’s cover art.

The rap feud now has the internet running wild. Shaq and Lillard don't have any serious beef with one another. But the back-and-forth has made for good entertainment for thumb-twiddling basketball fans waiting for the season to kick into full swing. 

Check out the best reactions to their diss tracks and listen to the records below, then let us know who you think had the best bars.