NBA Lockout: Player Tweets in the Wake of the Cancellation of Games
It is interesting to examine the mindsets of NBA players during this time, at least as much of it as they will share on Twitter. Some of them are giving the labor disagreement plenty of twitter love, some very little. Some seem to be having no issue at all finding other ways to spend their time.
But almost all of them are working out to stay in shape and showing their support for the cause with the "Let Us Play" message, at least according to Twitter.
Here are some specific tweets from NBA players and some close to them.
Atlanta Hawks - Jeff Teague http://twitter.com/Teague0
"So it's official I will be heading back to school #lockout"
It's funny, judging from the playoff series against the Bulls, he was all set to start schooling the rest of the NBA. It is good to see he is going to be productive during this time.
Atlanta Hawks - Damien Wilkins http://twitter.com/dwilkins3000
Several players submitted apologies like this one from Atlanta Hawks' Damien Wilkins to the fans of the NBA.
"I want to let our fans know we can't spell US without U! Thx so much for the support during this lockout. Hopefully we'll have bball soon."
Atlanta Hawks - Joe Johnson http://twitter.com/TheJoeJohnson2
The Joe Johnson is inactive at crunch time, that should surprise none. He seems to be treating the lockout like the fourth quarter of a playoff game, he isn't participating.
Boston Celtics - Jeff Green http://twitter.com/unclejeffgreen
Jeff Green wants to know whats happening in the Goodman vs Drew game.
"can somebody please fill me in on the goodman vs drew league game....what happened? who won? something please lol"
I know, Jeff, we feel the same way. Something, please.
Phoenix Suns - Steve Nash http://twitter.com/SteveNash
Steve Nash is a beast, he could be right next to Derek Fisher in the cause.
"but we will not be taken advantage of. In our hearts we're desperate to play, in our minds we know better and are prepared to #standunited."
"The NBA has experienced over 60 yrs of growth with new growth projected using the current model."
Strong words, from a veteran on his way out, there must be some substance to this stance.
Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki http://twitter.com/swish41
Dirk has used the time to support his fellow embattled Dallas star and talk about NBA2K12. Hey, he just won an NBA championship, leave him alone.
"Jordan bird isiah barkley malone magic kareem all in one game? And celtics lakers in 80s were classic too. I could watch all day"
"Dear tony romo. Don't worry abt all the critics. I heard that same garbage for a long time. Keep working hard and keep improving."
Denver Nuggets - Kenyon Martin http://twitter.com/OakcliffBully
Oh boy. In chronological order, starting 48 hours ago, this sequence trumps the neck tattoo as Kenyon Martin's personal guide to making a fool out of yourself in front of the world.
"All Haters should catch full blown Aids and Die! Do the world a favor!and rid us of you all!"
"Then to Hating is a Lifestyle! And people are living it up"
"This is Kenyon folks I didn't write that about the aids! I can say some s#$* but I'm not that f#$&^*^ crazy"
"I'm crazy not stupid"
Wow dude, I think you may have cornered the market on both adjectives. It is bad enough to tweet something wishing death and or sickness on a person, but to back out of it and say I didn't say that and to not even delete the tweet...It makes me say hmm.
Now his twitter account is deleted. Weird thing is, his previous tweets match the same type of attitude. Dude, if ignorant online trolls are bothering you that much, stay off Twitter. You have much more to lose than they do with your tweets.
Denver Nuggets JR Smith http://twitter.com/JrSwish5
This was tweeted 82 days ago, but I couldn't resist.
3 JR Smith tweets in a row.
"GONE!"
"WOW really!"
"ok thats what it is..."
JR's response when Lil Wayne told him despite that neck tattoo, he really isn't a part of Yung Money.
Detroit Pistons - Greg Monroe http://twitter.com/G_Monroe10
Greg Monroe tweeted this right around the time the commissioner announced the first two weeks were cancelled.
"this gotta stop for real!!!"
Same for Golden St.Warriors Stephen Curry, who said
"#thissucks"
Our sentiments exactly.
New York Knicks - Carmelo Anthony http://twitter.com/#!/carmeloanthony
Melo hit us with the profane but true.
"I just wanna apologize to all the fans for this lockout. Trust me, I feel y'all pain. This s#!7 sucks"
But unfortunately he is another player engaging in back and forth banter with fans criticizing a dilemma they can't relate to.
He replies to a fan that says "u suck" with "I guess me and you in the same boat!!!!"
He calls another twitter guy "a pathetic idiot."
These are arguments the players can't win and are best served ignoring them.
Even Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio - http://twitter.com/rickyrubio9 is in on the StandUnited stance, he offers this apology and show of support.
"And I want to say sorry fans for the #lockoutNBA . We want a play but... #StandUnited I will go to MN soon to see some houses."
New York Knicks - Roger Mason Jr. http://twitter.com/MoneyMase educates us with this perspective:
"The cancellation of games was the NBA strategy all along, yet they want the fans to think the players are to blame"
There is certainly some truth to that. The nature of a lockout is imposed by the owners, not the players.
Even Gabrielle Union http://twitter.com/#!/itsgabrielleu is dropping knowledge on the lockout. She is well schooled on her man's profession.
"David Stern makes 23 mil a year. He's paid by billionaire owners. He's got NO probs cancellin games. Wonder if ... ht ..."
This series of tweets from Toronto Raptors Sonny Weems http://twitter.com/Sonny13, who is currently overseas, doesn't sound like many players will enjoy their foreign hiatuses.
"Dont know why in still up!!! Maybe I'm lonely lol"
"Or at least give me a website, I'm hurting here lol!!!"
"When was the last time someone seen an air conditioner in the window!! #lol"
Loneliness, boredom and random thoughts to garner some amusement. I'm right with you Sonny.
