NBA @NBAplayers…we’re following you too

Tweet yes or no if you’re a professional athlete who’s been busted by your respective association or league for “Tweeting” before, during or after a game. Hold on. That could cost $7,500. If you’re at the arena, put your phones away. The NBA has cracked down along with the NFL on players using the web networking service Twitter to update their followers with untimely or inappropriate content about their professions. The most recent citation in the NBA was issued to rookie sensation Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks for Tweeting: “Back to 500. Yess!!! “500” means where doing good. Way to Play Hard Guys.”

I could hear the veteran sages like Rasheed Wallace (Celtics) now addressing the newbie, “Tisk tisk young gun. Don’t you know you can’t Tweet until after the press have had access to you? Oh well, tough luck youngster; let that be a warning to you. Oh and Merry Christmas. Welcome to professional basketball.”

When I heard of players like “Ochocinco” (Chad Johnson) of the Cincinnati Bengals tweeting I thought it could be disastrous for him given his erratic and wild antics. But then I heard that other young players like the Miami Heat’s Michael Beasley had tweeted some pretty personal things about his emotional state that may have revealed a real bout with depression and allowed friends to reach out to him. It’s reported that Beasley entered rehabilitation soon after the tweet in reference.

Bottom line is that I’m for adaptation where Twitter is concerned. If a superstar garners fans and communicates with them in a way that could offset the occurrence of stalking I’m all for it. Or if a player shares his elation with the modern, distant fan base which often sees him as nothing more than entertainment, I’m down with that as well. The NBA’s image is at stake, no doubt which accounts for the aggressive monitoring of athlete’s musings in cyberspace. But I thought the league was for grown men. They can earn more money in a year than most will in a lifetime but can’t be trusted with Twitter. I’m not that old but in my day being irresponsible came with consequences. In the adult world, having choices is all that separates us from childhood. Viva the Tweet to those adorned in your favorite team’s uniform.