He proclaimed his Nets love on Twitter after posting: "How would it be if Mr. Stern called my name 10 min earlier #9 or 5 min later #12 hmmmmmmmmm to bad I can't live off what ifs." And that came after he posted, "Up early to the gym before practice to practice before practice, because NOW practice is my games. Welp that's life."
Although the Nets are claiming that the benching didn't have anything to do with the Tweet, they have announced that they are advising Williams to be more careful with his future Tweets. Right, don't bad mouth the prestigious (2-20) Nets.
Williams wasn't the first to find some pine for Tweeting his mind. Last year Charlie Villanueva was suspended for tweeting during the half time of a game. David Stern has since solved that problem by outlawing Tweets a few hours before, and after games. Individual teams have also taken action against Tweets during team functions, and of course many have done their best to keep players from Tweeting something might soon regret.
Professionals Tweeting brought the impact of social networking to the forefront of every Commissioner, and GM's attention. The truth is, social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace provide an up close and personal look into the lives of celebrities and athletes. Its something that fans always want more of. They can be a real tool in attracting new fans, or keeping old fans happy. I personally follow Shaq on Twitter, along with his team mate Mo Williams, and often find his Tweets to be fun and interesting. Shaq describes some of his Tweets as "Random Acts of Tweetness." Shaq uses his Tweets to give fans hints and free merchandise that he sometimes hides around the city of Cleveland. How a 7"1' 300 something lb. man hide anything in a city like Cleveland is beyond me, but I guess that's whats great about Shaq.
In order for fans and players to keep enjoying social networks like Twitter, I think organizations like the NBA and NFL need to sit down and set some specific rules in regards to them. Leagues and teams should monitor players very closely when it comes to Twitter, but I believe that players should have the freedom to express themselves, as long as it stays appropriate.
This is a case of technology getting ahead of organizations like professional sports. The same thing has happened with tennis. Some of the biggest "tweeters" are Andy Roddick, and the Williams sisters. In fact, I received two tweets from Serena, and one was on the day of her infamous "outburst." My theory is that she was on Twitter too much that day, and I think it hurt her concentration:-)
ReplyDeleteCody, I think twitter is the best thing that happened to the NBA since the 3 point line. It allows fans and players to interact in a unique way. I know a lot of NFL and NBA players enjoy it as much as us fans do. That's why I don't think the NBA should regulate it. It in our consistution under the first admendment that we have the freedom of speech. So if Terrence Williams wants to complain about his draft selection through Twitter, then that is his perogitive. If all else fails for Terrence, he could always join the 76ers since he "practices" so much. I have always looked at the NBA as more of a corporation that is more focused on business anyways, rather then then worrying about the integrity of the sport. I think tweeting by NBA players brings more attention to the sport.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with Dr. Spencer, I highly doubt Serena's outburst was because of the distraction of Tweeting. Serena is a great athlete and is a mentally tough woman. I am sure her focus was most likely on the tennis match and not on Twitter. However if twitter somehow effected an athletes performance, I would obviously recommend they stop doing it. That is each players choice and if they choose to suffer consequences so be it. I think soon teams will try and prevent this by putting a "No Twitter Clause" in their contract.
I like the fact that players are letting us know what is going on in their lives. Like Cody I am also following Shaq and Mo along with some other athletes like Ochocinco. I think it is a great way for them to expand their fan base. I do however hate seeing players tweet while playing a basketball game. I think that is total disrespect to the sport. I mean really it can not wait till after the game? There have also been problems now with players posting things they should not be or things that are controversial. This has lead to punishment from league front offices, it's almost as if an athlete has no way of being themselves these days. Kind of disturbing in a way.
ReplyDelete