Lakers in 5

Submission 288

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About

Lakers in 5, also known as "Lakers in 5" Shannon Sharpe, refers to a series of viral video memes and edits using multiple clips of sports commentator Shannon Sharpe saying, "Lakers in 5," after rhyming three different words related to an opposing NBA team. One of the most popular clips shows Sharpe saying, "OKC, KFC, UFC, Lakers in five," concerning the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff chances in a series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sharpe basically picked the Lakers to win the seven-game series in five games while mocking the OKC team. He did this with several other teams. He first said the phrase in 2020. The Lakers in 5 meme largely took off in March 2025, following a series of Lakers edits that combined three rhyming videos, ending with Sharpe saying his catchphrase, then transitioning into LeBron James or Luka Doncic highlights, among other Lakers players on the 2024-25 team.

Origin

On August 31st, 2020, Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless were discussing an LA Lakers win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Undisputed. Bayless mentioned Blazers player Hassan Whiteside, making Sharpe say, "Whiteside, backside, sunny side, Lakers in 5." The clip was shared on YouTube^[1] on August 31st, gaining over 516,900 views in five years (shown below).

Spread

In the following years, Sharpe said "Lakers in 5" multiple times on Undisputed as it became one of his recurring catchphrases.

For instance, on May 26th, 2021, he said, "CP3, C-3PO, it doesn't matter, Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, bring 'em all! Lakers in 5." The clip was posted to X^[2] by @TheFacilityFS1 on the day, gaining over 6,700 likes in four years (shown below).

"CP3, C-3PO, it doesn't matter, bring em all! Chris Paul, Logan Paul, Jake Paul, any other Paul…Lakers in 5!" 🤣-- @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/vJZMlKl0YI

— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) May 26, 2021

On May 26th, Shannon Sharpe quote tweeted ^[3] the abovementioned tweet with a meme showing himself as LeBron James with the top caption reading, "Chris Paul, Cliff Paul, Jake Paul, Logan Paul… LAKERS IN 5!" receiving over 7,700 likes in four years (shown below).

On May 29th, 2021, YouTuber^[4] Everything About Sport posted a compilation of Shannon Sharpe's "Lakers in 5" moments, gaining over 453,100 views in four days (shown below).

TikTok Edit Trend

On February 24th, 2025, Shannon Sharpe said, "OKC, KFC, UFC, Lakers in 5" on First Take with Stephen A. Smith. It was clipped and shared by ESPN's TikTok^[5] where it received over 43,400 likes in a month (shown below).

Shannon Sharpe bringing back the phase on his new show sparked renewed interest in the Lakers in 5 catchphrase, mostly expressed through Lakers edits that used his soundbite. The first known was shared by TikToker^[6] @lakers.mortel on February 28th, gaining over 321,300 likes in 19 days (shown below).

On March 1st, 2025, TikToker^[7] @colehorn21 posted a video skit in which he reenacted Sharpe's rhyming Lakers in 5 quotes, gaining over 148,800 likes in 18 days (shown below).

On March 11th, TikToker^[8] @soloszn_ spliced together three clips that rhymed, ending with Sharpe saying, "Lakers in 5," gaining over 559,600 likes in eight days (shown below).

The abovementioned format, of splicing together three rhyming clips, spread en masse in the following days. For instance, on March 12th, 2025, TikToker^[9] @antdefalco7 used a clip of LeBron James saying, "Josh Giddey," the He Said He Loves Diddy video and a kid screaming, "I don't want to hit the Griddy!" followed by Sharpe saying, "Lakers in 5." The edit received over 582,300 likes in one week (shown below).