Minnesota Sports Forum

So I just read this because why not.

https://sports.yahoo.com/7-things-kyrie-irving-couldve-saying-coming-home-snapchat-163051320.html

And it's making me think about how much players these days use social media, and how they use it. It's almost like it's become another facet of being a player. How long until we're telling ourselves, "Well, his defense took a step back last season, but his Instagram was hilarious."

I'm 40 years old and I don't use social media. I listen to some podcasts, but you guys are as close as I get. So maybe that's why I feel like social media so often seems to encourage simpleminded, superficial, critical (like subtweets), petty, or passive-aggressive communication. I hate to see that in the game I love, although I also know some NBA social media stuff is interesting, informative, and funny.

What do you guys think about how, and how much, NBA players use social media?

40 is the new 30 Drew

SameOldDrew wrote:So I just read this because why not.

https://sports.yahoo.com/7-things-kyrie-irving-couldve-saying-coming-home-snapchat-163051320.html

And it's making me think about how much players these days use social media, and how they use it. It's almost like it's become another facet of being a player. How long until we're telling ourselves, "Well, his defense took a step back last season, but his Instagram was hilarious."

I'm 40 years old and I don't use social media. I listen to some podcasts, but you guys are as close as I get. So maybe that's why I feel like social media seems so often seems to encourage simpleminded, superficial, critical (like subtweets), petty, or passive-aggressive communication. I hate to see that in the game I love, although I also know some NBA social media stuff is interesting, informative, and funny.

What do you guys think about how, and how much, NBA players use social media?

I'm more of a consumer of social media than a participant these days. I read Twitter to see what is happening in sports. I still have Facebook and check in every once in a while to keep up with some people I still care about on that platform. Instagram is the thing I enjoy and post on the most but I haven't been on that as much lately actually.

I spend a lot of my time with people that are in communications in one form or another. Social media is an important tool these days. If you have interest in growing something it's silly to ignore it. Many athletes are looking to grow their "brand".

For some athletes I think it's mostly a genuine source of personal expression or a real chance to i terat with fans. We are able to get so much more info than we used to about athletes. That's a double edged sword. We get to see guys working out hanging out with friends telling jokes doing stupid things (good and bad). IMO some athletes should ponder more carefully how they use these platforms but I would say that about some non-athletes too. It's a form of self expression...and publicity and all kinds of stuff. These platforms are a mixed bag. That's all I got.

Damn it. I was in the middle of typing a long, detailed, well-crafted response... and my typewriter broke.

Sorry guys. I'll grab a nearby pigeon though and send it out when it's done.

I think it's fun to have the extra layer of an athlete's personality, no matter how superficial. Wiggins wants to be a mogul, but in a goofy Canadian kind of way. You'd get glimpses into Zach's less than stellar IQ. Gorgui seems active in the community. Tyus dates a blond. It's all fun, and completely unimportant.

At 32 I missed out on most of social media growing up besides msn messenger I guess, I remember for many years I actively avoided twitter and wanted nothing to do with it but the sporting news is so instant I just couldn't stay away. I am also sucked into the NBA drama on twitter it has gotten ridiculous. No instagram for me though lol

I have very little interest in following NBA players on social media. I do follow some of the writers that cover the NBA on twitter though.

What's social media? We don't have that yet in middle earth. Is that the thing where your president tweets and make a fool of himself every second hour?

KiwiMatt wrote:What's social media? We don't have that yet in middle earth. Is that the thing where your president tweets and make a fool of himself every second hour?

Thank god I escaped that nightmare circus before it hit town. You need to come visit me in Germany to cash in on our Steven Adams bet. It's nice living in a country that hasn't lost its sanity. Plus, there's no travel ban on hobbits here.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:

KiwiMatt wrote:What's social media? We don't have that yet in middle earth. Is that the thing where your president tweets and make a fool of himself every second hour?

Thank god I escaped that nightmare circus before it hit town. You need to come visit me in Germany to cash in on our Steven Adams bet. It's nice living in a country that hasn't lost its sanity. Plus, there's no travel ban on hobbits here.

I'm an Elf. Is that ok? Or should I just say I'm Syrian?