Shaquille O’Neal Could Risk Charles Barkley’s Hateful Rant as He Challenges Pro Drummers to a Duel

Chuck’s about to have a drumming ache in his noggin. The Inside the NBA percussion troupe’s frontman took on a pro-drummer for kicks. Now Shaquille O’Neal loves a duel and thinks of himself as a noise magician. He showed off his skills on his YouTube channel which will have you doing a double take. Is this the same goofy drummer who’s fumbled on TNT many times? Despite his stark improvement, one person would not turn into the Big Drummer Boy’s fan any time soon. Charles Barkley would in fact prefer Shaq stays far away from drums.

The latest show won’t be convincing either. Shaq’s pulling out all the musical chops on the Summer of Bass Tour. He debuted O’Neal Boyz with his son at the Tomorrowland Rave Cave, EDM’s first father-son duo. During all that, he had the opportunity to have a beat-off against a professional drummer. He appeared from behind a curtain where a group in marching band uniforms were practicing, declaring, “I’ve been looking for you.” He came, he saw, he conquered.

DJ Diesel won on a technicality (his opponent dropped the sticks) but he had a solid chance of claiming victory. With a fair bit of razzmatazz and intense eye contact, he pulled some nifty drumstick tricks. It was rhythmic, sort of throwing back to old-school rap beats, and he didn’t fumble even once. Of course, some cynics in the comments think there was dubbing or multiple takes we don’t see. But Shaq was undeniably good.

Hard to believe this is the same guy who challenged Instagram-famous drummer Timothy Fletcher a couple of years ago. That time, O’Neal tried to drum to the Inside the NBA theme song and failed epically even if he doesn’t admit it. He’s a drum addict clearly because he challenged the Tuskegee marching band years ago too.

TNT has an entire catalog of Shaq’s ‘offbeat’ drumming in their archives. In most of it, you’d find Wallflower Barkley looking absolutely miserable.

Charles Barkley is not a fan of the TNT house band

Last year, Barkley revealed the Inside Guys are responsible for his biggest pet peeve on Conan O’Brien’s show. Instigated by Shaq, Ernie Johnson and Kenny “The Jet” Smith have formed an “Impromptu drumline.” That’s why we see the three of them tapping pens or hands on the table between commercials while Chuck looks done.

The best bit of the TNT percussionists was way back in 2013. Shaq and Kenny engaged in an intense drum duel during the commercial break, tapping on the desk with their hands. Ernie tried to join and was outdrummed in seconds. Barkley became a brief meme for his very judgemental stare across the table.

O’Neal’s latest duel won’t impress Chuck either. There goes our dreams for a four-man band of the Inside Guys. But perhaps a trio?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.