“When Luka’s playing like that… It doesn’t matter. Lakers in Five!” That’s the line Shannon Sharpe dropped like a mic on First Take after the Los Angeles Lakers snagged Luka Dončić at the trade deadline. Fast-forward to Game 1 of the 2025 playoffs, though, and the mic? It’s been snatched back, stuffed in a blender, and turned into meme puree.

The Troll King Strikes. By now, you’ve seen the meme tsunami: “Shannon Sharpe, Asian Carp, Celtic Harp, Wolves in 6.” But let’s rewind. After the Lakers’ 117-95 Game 1 faceplant against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Stephen A. Smith hit Twitter like Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet: “Triple-A….NWA…..I Don’t Care what Shannon has to say = Lakers AIN’T winning in 5😀😀😀😀😀😀😀.” Brutal? Absolutely. But as Game of Thrones taught us, ‘Every laugh from a rival is a dagger to the ego.’

Sharpe’s “Lakers in 5” prophecy—fueled by Luka’s 32-piece vs. Denver and LeBron James’s ageless heroics—collided with reality when the Timberwolves rained a franchise-record 21 threes. Jaden McDaniels (25 PTS) and Naz Reid (23 PTS, 6 threes) turned Crypto.com Arena into their splash zone. Meanwhile, LeBron (19 PTS) looked like he’d just finished a Monday Night Football doubleheader in cleats and a back brace.

Let’s not pretend Sharpe’s take was baseless. Post-Luka trade, the Lakers went 20-11, morphing into a Death Star lineup with Luka (37 in his playoff debut), LeBron, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura. But the Timberwolves? They’ve been lurking like a Netflix true-crime villain. Anthony Edwards (22-9-8 stat line) didn’t just show up—he brought the ‘Winter Is Coming’ energy. And now? The meme machine has turned Shannon into its favorite chew toy.

Post Smith-Sharpe Fan Frenzy 

“Friendly reminder Lakers in 5.” — Dez Bryant. Even NFL legends can’t resist the NBA drama. Whether it was blind loyalty, subtle sarcasm, or a Hail Mary hope, Dez dropped the line with the smoothness of a toe-tap in the end zone—and fans couldn’t help but debate which way he meant it.

“Shannon Sharpe is suddenly quiet. I think he and the Lakers overlooked the Timberwolves.” — @ScottyHarvickFan36
A cold-blooded observation from a fan who clearly knows when the wheels are coming off. No emojis. Just facts. “Shannon Sharpe, Asian Carp, Celtic Harp, Wolves in 6.” — @Devin_CV This tweet didn’t just trend—it transcended. A Shakespearean diss track that belongs on a marble plaque outside Target Center.

There’s a beauty here. Sports debates aren’t just stats—they’re stories. Sharpe’s “Lakers in 5” became a rhyming rodeo: “OKC, KFC, UFC… Lakers in 5.” Stephen A. weaponized it like Tony Soprano holding a grudge. And the Timberwolves? They’re the underdog turned overlord, proving that in the NBA playoffs, confidence without adjustments is just a TikTok dance—fun, but fleeting.“Shannon Sharpe nervous asf right now 🤣” — @Ninito271 It started as a chuckle, but turned into a trend. You could almost hear the imaginary side-eye from Skip Bayless.

“Where is Shannon Sharpe?” — Brooke Giles No caps. No fluff. Just a simple question that landed with more power than a Stephen A. monologue. And the truth? He might be hiding in a closet full of Club Shay Shay windbreakers. As the Timberwolves howl into Game 2, Sharpe’s swagger faces its biggest test since LeBron joined Taco Tuesday. But hey, if  Michael Scott taught us anything, it’s that ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take—wait, no, that’s Wayne Gretzky.’

Whether Shannon’s take becomes a legacy meme or a comeback anthem, one thing’s clear: This isn’t just basketball—it’s Broadway in sneakers. Lakers in 5? Try Drama in 4K. And Stephen A.? He’s already warming up his next punchline.