Skip to main content

Lebron who? NBA announces winners of their ‘Social Media Awards’

lebron who nba announces winners of their social media awards kobe header 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Last night was the night that every sports fan has been waiting for. No, not the first game of the Stanley Cup. I’m talking about the NBA’s Social Media Awards. It’s the night the NBA responds to the incredible support the league has on Twitter and Facebook by giving its fans exactly what they want … an Awards Show! Am I right?! Anyone?

In case you missed it, and something tells me you did, fans (apparently) voted on NBA.com’s site on categories such as fashion, best Instagram, and Tweet of the Year and then the results are revealed in a gala event not unlike the Oscars… if you had a friend named Oscar who gave out trophies named after himself for stupid shit while no one watched.

Recommended Videos

In all seriousness, the NBA is the most Liked, Followed, and discussed major sports league on all the internets. According to NBA.com, the NBA has over 7 million Twitter followers and 17 million Facebook “Likes.” To put that in perspective, the NFL, MLB and NHL have 14.6 Facebook “Likes” combined. And those numbers don’t even include how many people follow the most recognizable athletes on the planet like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. So it’s no wonder why the NBA would want to acknowledge the role social media plays in the league’s success and engage that part of their fanbase. But this?

“Kobe over JR” will go down as the league’s darkest moment since the Donaghy scandal

Hosted by Chris Webber, Rocsi Diaz (her spelling, not mine), and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry by themselves in a dark room, the show had all of the drama of the ESPY’s minus the audience, comedy, star power, and gravitas. I guess the silver lining in all this is that Chris obviously knows how to live with a terrible mistake.

But back to the really important stuff – the awards themselves. As you might expect, the winner of the Trendsetter Award went to Russell Westbrook for looks such as this gem…  and the Social Slam (aka Best Dunk) went to the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, making mincemeat out of Brandon Knight. You can see the rest of the winners here.

But for me, the biggest upset had to be Tweet of the Year or the 140 Award or whatever they’re calling it. The award went to Kobe Bryant for tweeting “Amnesty THAT!” after he destroyed the Dallas Mavericks a day after owner Mark Cuban suggested that the Lakers should amnesty Kobe in the off-season. It was a great FU to Cuban who should’ve known better than to make Kobe mad right before his team faced the Black Mamba.

NBA Social MediaBut that tweet is nothing compared to the constant gold coming from the Twitter feed of JR Smith, who is to 140 characters as Picasso was to paint. Some may consider his feud with Rihanna his finest work, or maybe his expertise in giving out “the pipe”. Still others may prefer his reply to Kris Humphries, but for me it’s gotta be his Twitter feud with Joe Budden over a bartender turned model.

But does JR get the acknowledgement he so deserves? Of course not. He’s the Pulp Fiction of the NBA Social Media Awards, playing second fiddle while Kobe takes home the big prize just like Forrest Gump did. It’s a gross injustice and makes a mockery of these storied awards, which has been celebrating the writing achievements of professional basketball players since … well … looks like 2012.

Where’s the sense of history? The legacy-honoring of basketball social media greats like former “Snap Shot” award winner Landry Fields or the fearsome “Triple Threat” Shaq? “Kobe over JR” will go down as the NBA’s darkest moment since the Tim Donaghy scandal.

Maybe it’s true what they say on Twitter; maybe the game really is rigged.

Peter Soldinger
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Peter Soldinger is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter for film and television with a passion for sports and a contentious…
How to take an ECG with your Apple Watch and see irregular heart notifications
ecg app apple watch

The ECG app is one of the most vital features of the Apple Watch, allowing you to see an electrocardiogram of your heart whenever you want. Along with this, the Apple Watch can notify you of irregular heart rhythms.

Read more
The best Black Friday air fryer deals for 2022
Best Black Friday Air Fryer Deals

Though Black Friday's over for another year, you'll still find plenty of Black Friday deals out there. If you're in the market for an air fryer, we don't blame you. It's the kitchen gadget that no one can stop talking about. After all, what other device can whip up a perfect crunchy batch of fries or delicious fried chicken while using minimal energy and providing healthier results? Big retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon have plenty of Black Friday air fryer deals on right now, so how do you know where to start? Below, we've picked some of the best available deals from brands like Bell, Insignia, Ninja, and many more, so keep reading to find your new air fryer for less.
Best Black Friday air fryer deals under $100
Bella Pro Series 2-quart Analog Air Fryer -- $20, was $45

If you're still tentative about air fryers, it's hard to go wrong buying the Bella Pro Series 2-quart Analog Air Fryer. This simple-to-use air fryer doesn't boast a stainless steel case or perform multiple functions, but it does the main job creating crispy, healthy, good-tasting snacks and appetizers. No preheating time means you're ready to cook faster than a conventional oven, and dishwasher-safe components makes cleanup quick and easy. The small Bella Pro Series air fryer is one of the best air fryer deals, priced to attract new cooks to the category.

Read more
AirPods Black Friday deals: Save on AirPods Pro and Max
Best Black Friday AirPods Deals

Black Friday may have been and gone for another year, but the best Black Friday deals are still around. Below, we've picked out all the best AirPods Black Friday deals so you can save big on some of the most popular earphones and headphones around. Whether you're looking to buy some cheap AirPods or you want to go all-in and buy the high-end but luxurious AirPods Max, there's sure to be a great deal for you here. These are just some of the best Apple Black Friday deals around with plenty more options out there. Keep reading while we take you through them all.

Read more