New NBA Rookies Are Learning the Internet Never Forgets

The Internet doesn't forget.

Like the North, the web remembers and will hold on to your data and activity for years and years (unless it's an article you've slaved over for hours, in which case it will glitch and blink out of existence forever).

Net permanence is good, mostly. It allows us to dig up archived information and visit digital Stonehenges like the original Space Jam website. But it also leaves a trail of breadcrumbs—crumbs that can lead to later embarrassment, as it did for a couple of young NBA prospects drafted Thursday night.

After being drafted in the first round, NBA prospects Larry Nance Jr. and Bobby Portis got to enjoy their new status as professional basketball players for just a few minutes before having to address controversial tweets they'd written.

Ball Don't Lie's Eric Freeman reports Nance, a forward out of Wyoming, deleted a 2012 tweet he'd written calling Kobe Bryant a rapist shortly after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 27th pick of the draft.

According to ESPN's Baxter Holmes, the Lakers knew about the tweet before drafting Nance. General manager Mitch Kupchak said it's between Nance and Bryant to work things out.

-Update on Saturday, June 27

Bryant said he has accepted Nance's apology, per ESPN.com:

"

The kid figured it out himself. He's a kid, man. He actually sent me a great message [Friday], which is really funny. I looked at it [the message], and it was like, 'This is when you know it's about time to hang these things up, when your teammate writes you, Hi, Mr. Bryant.' "I was like, 'What the f---?' But it was really nice and apologetic about what had happened. I said, 'Dude, listen. We've all said things and done things that we regret and wish we could take back. It's water under the bridge, man. Welcome to the team.' He writes back, 'Thank you, sir.'

"

-End of Update

It should be noted that Nance has also dropped the Twitter hammer on LeBron James , making him one of those rare rookies who has thrown shots at two of the league's living legends before even stepping onto an NBA court:

As for Portis, the former Arkansas forward found himself confronted with old tweets critical of the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol after being selected by the franchise with the 22nd pick.

Portis was quick to apologize and explain himself after the tweet resurfaced. He says he's not that guy anymore.

So just remember, kids: Whatever you send out on social media can and probably will be used against you at some point down the road. The Internet is just a large, digital version of that childhood friend who never lets you forget that time you pissed your pants on the bus in fifth grade.

Also, whatever you do, don't trash Kobe and then get yourself drafted onto his team. That's, like, probably the last thing you ever want to do.

Dan is on Twitter. #PrayForNance.