The 10th Anniversary EXTRAVAGANZA!! | Top 10 Show BITS | Top 10 WILLIAMS'
The Locked On Hornets podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with a chaotic, self-aware extravaganza that turns nostalgia into a comedic ritual. At the heart of the celebration is a top 10 list of 'Williamses' in Charlotte Hornets history — a playful nod to the franchise’s long line of players with that surname — while also ranking the show’s most iconic, absurd, and emotionally resonant 'bits' and 'not so bits.' The hosts, Doug Branson and Walker Mayer, blend genuine affection for the team with satire, admitting that their creativity was born from years of terrible basketball and organizational chaos. They revel in their own failures — from unfulfilled promises to the 'low bar' bit — framing their obsession as a form of mental resilience. The episode culminates in a heartfelt tribute to the 'sickos' — the diehard fans who keep coming back despite the team’s struggles — redefining the term as a badge of honor for those who persist in the face of emotional damage. It’s a celebration not of success, but of survival, identity, and the strange joy found in shared fandom.
Reframe 'sicko' as a badge of honor — Hornets fans aren’t broken, they’re committed to a team that demands emotional endurance.
The best podcast moments come from constraints — when the Hornets were bad, the hosts had to invent absurd bits to survive.
Unfulfilled promises (like finishing 'Who Wore It Best?') are now part of the show’s identity — not failures, but rituals.
The 'low bar' bit persists because the Hornets haven’t yet won a playoff series, making it a living metaphor for the franchise’s status.
Doug Branson’s evolving hair and facial hair are visual markers of his emotional journey with the Hornets — trauma expressed through grooming.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
10th Anniversary Kickoff: The Sicko Celebration Begins
The episode opens with a festive tone, introducing the 10-year milestone of the Locked On Hornets podcast and the broader Locked On Podcast Network. The hosts set the stage for a self-aware, chaotic celebration filled with inside jokes, sponsor reads, and a promise of a top 10 list of 'Williamses' in Hornets history.
The Birth of the Sickos: Identity Through Obsession
“Doing the same thing over and over, even though you know it's the wrong thing to do or it's not healthy for you. And that's what Hornets fans have been doing.”
Top 10 Williamses: A Playful Franchise History
Doug Branson presents his top 10 list of Williamses in Hornets/Bobcats history, starting with Lorenzo Williams (3 games, 1.3 blocks) and progressing through Willie Burton (53-point game), Michael Carter Williams (poor stats), and others. The segment includes absurd tangents like adult video store ads in the Charlotte Observer.
Honorable Mentions: The Forgotten Bits That Defined Us
A deep dive into the show’s most beloved 'not so bits' — including the player hater draft guide, the Bees Machine, the Lounge pre-show bit, and the infamous 'calorie spike' mix-up. These moments are celebrated not for their quality, but for their role in shaping the show’s chaotic identity.
Top 10 Show Bits: From David Walker to the Big Dub Hat
“I looked directly into that poltergeist face and I said, bleep you, I'm a sicko. I'm going to be a sicko till I die.”
“And I looked directly into that poltergeist face and I said, bleep you, I'm a sicko. I'm going to be a sicko till I die.”
“I didn't stay in that feeling, but I believe for a moment that the Charlotte Hornets were personally tormenting me. That Mitch Kupchak was personally had a vendetta against me.”
“Doing the same thing over and over, even though you know it's the wrong thing to do or it's not healthy for you. And that's what Hornets fans have been doing.”
Hosts
Charlotte Hornets
other
Doug Branson
person
Walker Mayer
person
Locked On Podcast Network
organization
David Walker
person
Miles Bridges
person
Rick Bunnell
person
Tony Allen
person
GameTime
organization
Shea Serrano
person
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