Just like the COVID-19 pandemic that gripped us all, the NBA bubble in 2020 was unlike anything basketball fans had ever witnessed. A closed-off, quarantine-style environment at Disney World where teams battled for a championship, while trying to stay sane in isolation. It was a historic moment for the league. But for Lou Williams, it became a defining chapter of his legacy for entirely different reasons.
What began as an approved departure from the bubble to mourn his mentor swiftly evolved into one of the NBA’s most notorious detours. It was complete with Jack Harlow, a legendary order of wings, and a nickname that still follows him today: Lemon Pepper Lou.
In an Instagram clip from @waterboyzshow, Lou Williams recounted how the incident unfolded.
Williams clarified the origins of his infamous nickname, explaining how it all started. “He came up with that term after the bubble incident. He said it on air and it caught fire,” he said, referring to Shannon Sharpe’s role in coining “Lemon Pepper Lou.”
He then walked through the events of that night, detailing how a routine departure from the NBA bubble took an unexpected turn. “No, I had permission to leave… I’m staying in the hotel, eating the same things… I wanna eat, step out of the bubble, got a doctor travelling with me, the whole thing…. I go to his wake, his wake was a street over from Magic City…”
That’s where things escalated. Williams, who had been mourning his late mentor, decided to stop by the now-famous Magic City establishment. “I go over, then my homie Jack Harlow walks in…with my partner and they introduce us, I got a mask on they got their mask on… It was that time where everybody tripping about masks. So, I’m congratulating Jack like this is crazy, we got to take a shot together… We just having a moment, we taking a shot… Then he like, “would it be cool if we took a picture?” I don’t see why not since we both got our marks on. So that’s the picture where you see I’m in Magic City.”
Lou Williams’ quick stop turned into a viral scandal in no time. Had it not been for Jack Harlow posting the now-infamous selfie, Williams’ visit might have gone unnoticed. But once the image hit social media, the internet erupted. Harlow swiftly deleted the post and tried to backtrack, but the damage had already spread. The moment caught Williams, ensuring it would follow him for the rest of his career.
Shannon Sharpe, Lou Williams and the Birth of ‘Lemon Pepper Lou’
While Williams tried to downplay the situation, sports media wasn’t letting it slide. Enter Shannon Sharpe, who took the story and gave Williams an all-time nickname on Undisputed. Sharpe said, “Man, you left the bubble to go get wings at a strip club?” Sharpe laughed. “I ain’t never seen a man love wings that much! That’s Lemon Pepper Lou right there!“
And just like that, the name stuck. It followed Lou Williams everywhere, from postgame interviews to memes and even Magic City’s own promotions. But recently, Sharpe revealed that he feels he deserves a cut of the Lemon Pepper Lou legacy. Speaking to DeMar DeRozan, Sharpe jokingly called out Williams, saying, “Lou Williams needs to break bread with me for the ‘Lemon Pepper Lou’ nickname!” Sharpe pointed out that he had single-handedly made the moniker a cultural staple, turning a one-night mishap into a brand. Whether Lou Williams ever compensates Sharpe for his marketing genius remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, the nickname is here to stay.
Years later, Williams looks back at the situation with a laugh. He may have taken a hit for the detour, but he also secured a legacy that extends far beyond the court. From Sixth Man of the Year trophies to iconic scoring performances, Lemon Pepper Lou will always be a certified bucket, on and off the hardwood. And if you ask him? Those wings were absolutely worth it!
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