“I’m really happy with my career. The only thing I was missing was a championship.” Charles Barkley achieved the majority of the awards under the sun, but the NBA ring eluded him. Till today, he gets called out on not winning it, especially by Shaquille O’Neal. So when Chuck’s favorite performing artist claimed speaking to him was higher than any awards, it made the 76ers legend feel special.

“I like it when our producer Michael Kaplan, ‘Kap’ as we call him decides to keep a guest secret.” Ernie Johnson, on season 6, episode 2 of The Steam Room podcast, made it clear that Sir Charles had no idea about the guest, which did not please the 11x All-Star at first. “What about the hard-hitting research that me and you do, Ernie?” But it all changed when he figured out who the guests were. “He got Dan + Shay? Are you serious?? What’s up, guys!!! This is so damn awesome right now!”

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney also expressed the same sentiment when discussing Charles Barkley.”I’m telling you when y’all shout us out Charles when you say our name you talk about the songs my phone blows up more than if we win a Grammy or if we sell out an arena. It’s like ‘Yo did you hear Charles mentioning you guys Sir Charles named Dan and Shay’s favorite artist.”

Even replying to the Instagram post, they said the same, “Highlight of our year! Thanks for all the support fellas, means the world!” Even Charles Barkley wrote, “Man, y’all gotta listen to Bigger Houses! So good! Thanks for the surprise @danandshay.” Ernie Johnson told us that the 76ers legend met the Grammy Award-winning duo at least a dozen years ago. Let’s look at one of those times when Chuck spoke about his favorite musical duo.

“What is your dream artist that would do a residency in Vegas that you would go to a show for?” Last season, during the In-Season tournament, the Inside crew were asked about their favorites in Vegas. “My dream would be Michael Jackson, but somebody today would probably be I’m a big fan of Dan and Shay right now,” had said Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley’s favorite duo’s one routine reminded him of Shaquille O’Neal

The Steam Room has been a two-man show, but it’s not obscure if Shaquille O’Neal is mentioned. Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney didn’t know one of their routines would help Chuck take a shot at his best friend. Speaking about his hooping skills, Smyers explained his tendencies, which match the Lakers legend.

“I don’t have it in me. I’m good in the paint, I can bang people around a little bit, play a little defense. The stroke is not it, though, man. From the free throw line, I’m 10% if I’m lucky.” Hearing about the poor FT shooting, Ernie Johnson couldn’t wait to say, “Shaq would say that’s good.”

Even Charles Barkley chimed in, “Yeah, Shaq would say that you’re in the zone.” After all, Shaq has the fifth-worst free-throw percentage in NBA history, shooting 52.7% from the line in regular-season games. So, the episode turned out to be a hit for The Chuckster as he had his favorite musical duo, which also led to trash-talking Shaquille O’Neal.