12 Times Kobe Bryant Came Through and Shut Down Social Media

For someone who only joined Twitter in 2013, Kobe Bryant dominates social media like it's his job. In just two years, Bryant has become a master mic-dropper. And while he has accumulated way too many epic tweets to include in just one list, a few were notably of the shutdown variety.

These are 12 times the Mamba instantly, albeit figuratively, shut someone up via social media. Either that, or he succinctly unleashed such a strong opinion about something that it made everyone stop and take notice.

Remember that one time Nick Young said nobody in this world could guard him, and Kobe said, per ESPN.com's Arash Markazi, "Thank God I'm not from this world"? It's like that, except on the Interwebs.

That Time He Wished Dwight the Best

The Dwight Howard experiment with the Los Angeles Lakers was, by all accounts, a bust. So when Howard bolted after just one season for the greener pastures of Houston, the home fans weren't exactly happy.

Bryant promptly unfollowed Howard on Twitter and briefly explained his reasoning. The Rockets and Lakers are, after all, both in the Western Conference.

That Time He Reminded Everyone How Long He's Been Around

After the NBA Finals, Bryant tweeted his congratulations to the Golden State Warriors like only he can. He praised the Warriors and LeBron James, but he also subtly reminded everyone who's been around the longest.

That Time He Told It Like It Was

For all his supposed cockiness, Kobe can still admit the obvious. After a dismal 27-55 campaign came to an end in 2014, Bryant tweeted, "S*** season. Flush it. Forget it #amnesia Next Season will be epic #blackout #bussfam."

When the next season was not, in fact, epic, Bryant again tweeted his recognition of the carnage. Although, this time he did sneak a little but-we-got-the-No. 2-lottery-pick-suckas action in there.  

That Time He Cared about Quality Reporting

Kobe cares about reporters getting their stories straight. When word surfaced the Lakers' meeting with free-agent big man LaMarcus Aldridge didn't go well, Bryant wasted little time in addressing his displeasure with the social media buzz. Sure, the meme was a little off, but his basic point was writers should care more about facts than clicks.

That Time He Loved What He Does

In May, a Twitter user asked Bryant what keeps him motivated, to which he replied, "Loving what I do."

The warm and fuzzies ended there. Another person questioned Kobe's response, suggesting he does it all for money. Big mistake.  

That Time He Knew His Sports Biz

Bryant has always been business savvy when it comes to his own contract negotiations. He also hasn't been shy about his opinions when it comes to labor relations in the NBA. He has tweeted several times about this idea of player selflessness. 

As he negotiated a new contract with the Lakers in 2013, Bryant faced criticism over demanding a high salary. Some felt he should take less to free up cap space and build a supporting cast. At the time, he tweeted, "The cap rules players have to be 'selfless' on to 'help' BILLIONAIRE owners [are] the same cap rules the owners LOCKED US out to put in #Think."

A year later, Bryant tweeted again on the matter, admittedly bringing up a solid point.

That Time He Joined the Emoji Battle

You remember the DeAndre Jordan emoji battle, right? Of course you do. As Blake Griffin, J.J. Reddick and others sarcastically posted emojis in reference to the quest to sign Jordan, Bryant was a little slow to get involved.

But when he did, his response had nothing to do with Jordan—just him and his five NBA championships. Standard Mamba.   

That Time He Defended LeBron James

Before the NBA playoffs, one basketball fan (apparently unaware of Kobe's shut-down abilities) responded to a Kobe tweet aimed at burning the media. The fan wrote, "@kobebryant lbj has yet to prove he can win a championship without 2 other superstars."

The Mamba didn't just respond, he went off, defending LeBron James with several tweets that couldn't possibly be adequately rebutted. Mainly, he pointed out the obvious help many superstars (including himself) had in achieving their success. 

That Time He Defended Russell Westbrook

Kobe Bryant has often faced criticism for taking too many shots. So it was familiar territory when Russell Westbrook found himself in the same situation. In April, Westbrook scored 54 points in a loss to the Indiana Pacers, but he took 43 shots to do it.

Kobe not only posted a boss Tina Fey eye-roll meme in defense of Westbrook, but he also tweeted some trivia to drive home his point (not that he needed to):

Spoiler: Trivia answer is Michael Jordan.

That Time He Didn't Deal with Criticism

In May, @indibless asked Kobe how he deals with criticism. Specifically, he tweeted, "@kobebryant As a superstar athlete how do you deal with the everyday criticism & hate of others #QuestionforGOAT."

It was a fair question, so you can't blame the guy. Then again, Kobe's response was vintage Kobe. Perfection.

That Time He Counted to 5

The Mamba is a man of few words. He can destroy you with one look, one shot or one tweet of just 10 tiny characters. In June, someone asked Kobe, via Twitter, why he thought he has a reputation for being selfish. His response was shutdown, as usual.  

That Time He Burned Mark Cuban

This tweet was so lockdown, Bryant won an NBA Social Media Award for it (yes, that's a thing).

In February 2013, during an appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s Ben and Skin Show, (via ESPN.com), Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested a possible scenario in which it might behoove the Lakers to amnesty No. 24. Bryant responded by torching the Mavs for 38 points and 12 rebounds.

Then he torched Cuban with that tweet. That tweet, though.