Every now and then, a meme escapes the trenches of sports Twitter and finds its way into the bloodstream of internet culture.
The phrase “Lakers in 5” is one of those anomalies—part inside joke, part sports prophecy, and completely viral. But where did it actually come from?
Where Did ‘Lakers in 5’ Start? Shannon Sharpe and the First Drop
The origins of “Lakers in 5” can be traced back to August 31, 2020, when NFL Hall-of-Famer and sports personality Shannon Sharpe first dropped the now-iconic line on FS1’s Undisputed.
During a heated back-and-forth with co-host Skip Bayless, Sharpe rattled off: “Whiteside, backside, sunny side, Lakers in 5.” It was a roast, a rhyme, and a prediction all rolled into one. And it stuck.
Over the following seasons, Sharpe kept the phrase alive, adding new rhymes and flair every time the Lakers were in the playoff spotlight. It became his signature mic drop—an exaggerated mix of bravado, humor, and unshakable Lakers fandom. Examples include:
“CP3, C-3PO, it doesn’t matter—Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, bring ’em all! Lakers in 5.”
“OKC, KFC, UFC… Lakers in 5!”
It wasn’t about accuracy. It was about energy. And the internet responded in kind.
How ‘Lakers in 5’ Took Over TikTok, Twitter, and Beyond
What began as a one-liner turned into a cultural phenomenon. Clips of Sharpe’s rhymes went viral on TikTok and Twitter (now X), spawning countless edits, remixes, and user-generated spin-offs. Fans began parodying the format with intentionally absurd rhymes:
“Nickelback, Applejack, Iraq—Lakers in 5.”
“Aquaman, Instagram, Uncle Sam—Lakers in 5.”
The phrase mutated beyond the Lakers. Fans of other NBA teams started adopting the format—”Celtics in 6,” “Knicks in 4,”—mimicking Sharpe’s playful arrogance. But make no mistake, the original belongs to L.A.
Why the Internet Can’t Stop Saying ‘Lakers in 5’
The beauty of “Lakers in 5” is in its absurdist confidence. It’s not just a meme—it’s a moment, a mood, and a movement.
It taps into the tribal nature of sports, the comedy of exaggerated predictions, and the rhythm of internet-native language. It’s Shannon Sharpe being Shannon Sharpe—but it’s also the internet doing what it does best: turning trash talk into timeless content.
Memes Explained is a running series that dives deep into the unexpected origins of the internet’s favorite memes, catchphrases, and viral trends. Got a meme you want decoded? Tag us @PGMNofficial and we’ll break it down.
