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The Unc & Unc Phenomenon: Why Shannon Sharpe's 'Lakers In 5' Became The Hottest Meme In Sports

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The phrase "Lakers in 5" is more than just a sports prediction; it's a cultural phenomenon, a viral meme, and the definitive catchphrase of NFL legend-turned-sports commentator, Shannon Sharpe. As of December 21, 2025, the meme is experiencing a fresh wave of popularity thanks to its constant re-emergence during the NBA season, especially when the Los Angeles Lakers are performing well—or, more hilariously, when they are struggling. This deep dive explores the origin of the iconic phrase, the famous rhymes that accompany it, and the very latest, must-see reactions from NBA stars who have started trolling Sharpe right back.

The core of the "Lakers in 5" declaration is simple: it predicts that the Los Angeles Lakers will win a seven-game NBA playoff series by defeating their opponent in just five games (a 4-1 series victory). What began as a confident, perhaps overconfident, playoff pick has evolved into a recurring joke and a symbol of Sharpe’s unwavering, sometimes delusional, support for LeBron James and the Lakers franchise, cementing his status as the internet’s favorite "Unc" (Uncle).

Shannon Sharpe: Biography and Career Profile

Shannon Sharpe is an American former professional football tight end and current sports analyst and commentator. His transition from a decorated NFL career to a polarizing media personality is nearly as famous as his on-screen antics.

  • Full Name: Shannon Sharpe
  • Born: June 26, 1968
  • Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA (Raised in Glennville, Georgia)
  • College: Savannah State University
  • NFL Career: 14 seasons (1990–2003)
  • NFL Teams: Denver Broncos (1990–1999, 2002–2003), Baltimore Ravens (2000–2001)
  • Position: Tight End
  • Career Highlights & Awards:
    • 3× Super Bowl Champion (Super Bowl XXXII, XXXIII with Broncos; Super Bowl XXXV with Ravens)
    • 8× Pro Bowl selection
    • 4× First-team All-Pro
    • NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
    • Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2011)
  • Media Career: Began his broadcasting career in 2004 as a commentator for CBS Sports' "The NFL Today." He became widely known for co-hosting *Skip and Shannon: Undisputed* with Skip Bayless and currently co-hosts ESPN's *First Take* with Stephen A. Smith.

The Origin Story: How 'Lakers in 5' Went Viral

The "Lakers in 5" catchphrase first gained significant traction during the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 NBA Bubble championship run. During that unusual playoff environment, the Lakers won three separate series in five games each, a pattern that seemed to validate the confident, early prediction. However, the phrase truly exploded into mainstream meme culture due to Shannon Sharpe’s delivery and relentless repetition on his sports commentary shows.

Sharpe's unwavering confidence, often delivered with a mocking tone towards the Lakers' opponents, made for instant viral content. The phrase is not just a prediction; it is an assertion of the Lakers' dominance, suggesting that any opponent is merely a formality that will be dispatched quickly after a single "feel-it-out" loss. This high-energy, often theatrical style of sports punditry resonated deeply with fans, turning the simple prediction into a running joke and a statement of extreme fandom.

The Iconic 'Lakers in 5' Rhyme Schemes

As the meme grew, Sharpe began to enhance the catchphrase with elaborate, often nonsensical, rhyming schemes, which further amplified its comedic value and shareability. These rhymes often targeted the opposing team, an opposing player, or simply included random, unrelated words that rhymed with "five." These segments quickly became appointment viewing for fans and meme creators alike.

Some of the most famous and widely shared rhyming variations include:

  • The OKC Mockery: "OKC, KFC, UFC, Lakers in 5." This rhyme was used to dismiss the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team Sharpe believed the Lakers would easily handle.
  • The SGA Diss: "SGA, PGA, USA, Lakers in 5." This variation specifically called out Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) while adding two completely unrelated acronyms to complete the rhyme, a signature Sharpe move that left his co-hosts, particularly Stephen A. Smith, in stitches.
  • The Fan-Favorite: "Serge Ibaka, Chewbacca, Waka Flocka, Lakers in 5." This fan-created rhyme demonstrates how the structure of the meme became a customizable template for the entire sports internet.

The use of these rhymes, combined with the sheer confidence of the prediction, solidified "Lakers in 5" as a cornerstone of modern sports commentary memes.

The Latest Update: Anthony Edwards Trolls 'Lakers in 5' (2025)

The true sign of a meme's cultural impact is when the athletes themselves start to use it. In one of the freshest and most hilarious developments of the 2025 NBA season, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards—often referred to as 'Ant-Man'—took the opportunity to troll Shannon Sharpe directly after a victory over the Lakers.

In a post-game interview, Edwards, clearly having taken "receipts" of Sharpe's earlier predictions, delivered his own version of the viral rhyme, mocking the very premise of the Lakers’ supposed dominance.

Edwards' now-viral troll line was: "Ant Man, Batman, Superman, Lakers in 5."

This moment was a massive win for the meme's longevity. It brought the joke full circle: a sports analyst's over-the-top prediction was used as bulletin board material and then thrown back in his face by a superstar player. This interaction highlights the playful, yet competitive, relationship between media personalities like Sharpe and the players they cover.

Topical Authority and The LSI Keywords of the Meme

The "Lakers in 5" meme generates significant topical authority because it touches on several key entities and themes within the sports world:

  • Shannon Sharpe's Brand: It is intrinsically linked to his persona on *First Take*, solidifying his position as a passionate, if biased, commentator.
  • LeBron James and the Lakers: The phrase becomes a shorthand for the team's playoff expectations and the constant media scrutiny surrounding LeBron James's quest for championships.
  • The NBA Playoff Debate: It fuels the perennial debate over Western Conference contenders, often pitting the Lakers against rivals like the OKC Thunder, Denver Nuggets, or the Minnesota Timberwolves.
  • Viral Internet Culture: As a meme, it demonstrates the power of short, repeatable, and easily editable video clips (often on TikTok and YouTube) to dominate sports discussion.

The constant evolution, from a simple prediction to a complex, rhyming, and highly trolled catchphrase, ensures that "Lakers in 5" remains a relevant and hilarious part of the NBA landscape, ready to be revived every time the Lakers make a playoff push or, more entertainingly, suffer a decisive loss that forces Shannon Sharpe to "eat his words."

The Unc & Unc Phenomenon: Why Shannon Sharpe's 'Lakers in 5' Became the Hottest Meme in Sports
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