Football. Soccer. Baseball. You call those sports? For discerning sports fans who know the NBA is where it's at, Tuesday promises to be a sweet moment indeed as the 2013-2014 season finally tips off.
Can the Heat three-peat? Can Anthony Davis fulfill his vast potential? Will Derrick Rose come back from last season's injury layoff more dangerous than ever? All these questions and countless more will be answered in thoroughly entertaining fashion over the next several months.
See also: Michael Jordan: 'I'm Not a Twitterer, I'm Not a Twerker'
There are more ways than ever to follow pro basketball online, but Twitter remains among the most fun. There's no Twitter like NBA Twitter and we're here to help you sort through the noise.
Below and in no particular order are 20 of our favorite NBA-related Twitter accounts. Included are players, media outlets and individual writers. Check them out, then add your own recommendations in the comments below.
1. @TheRealJRSmith
Im at #War with all #HATERS RT @4everhatin15: @TheRealJRSmith what is the need for buying an armored truck?!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 19, 2013
J.R. Smith might tweet a hilarious pic at finicky fans. J.R. Smith might drive around in an armored truck because he's "at #War with all #HATERS." J.R. Smith might ask one follower, "You trying to get the pipe?" But here's one thing J.R. Smith won't do: Be boring.
2. @PhilJackson11
Reflection on DHoward’s exodus. He left a distaste in Lakerland The Lakers will be fine. Pau fits MDA’s style of Off-it was about the future
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) July 7, 2013
The legendary coach joined Twitter in March, and has been delighting NBA fans with insights and memories ever since.
3. @Jpdabrams
ICYMI, story on Korleone Young. If you're not sad, angry or frustrated after it, then get the ice out of your veins http://t.co/pL4R7WD08K
— Jonathan Abrams (@Jpdabrams) September 20, 2013
For anyone who loves the game, this Grantland writer's profiles of personalities from around the basketball world aren't to be missed.
4. @YahooBDL
From @freemaneric: Royce White waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, throwing his basketball future into doubt. http://t.co/oitWzT59tn.
— Ball Don't Lie (@YahooBDL) October 25, 2013
If you only follow one NBA Twitter account this season, Yahoo's Ball Don't Lie blog will keep you both informed and entertained.
5. @haralabob
It's preseason. But Rockets fans have to like what they are seeing from DW12 and JHarden. Wow.
— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) October 25, 2013
Haralabos Voulgaris bets on the NBA for a living (#YOLO). The insights on his feed make him worth following whether you're a gambler or just a simple fan.
6. @JonesOnTheNBA
Always thought Magic got a ton of his spin moves and around the back moves from Earl the Pearl http://t.co/yzfOJfKIbS
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) October 26, 2013
Nate Jones is a professional basketball marketer and former NBA blogger. During hoops season, his feed is a seemingly non-stop watercooler conversation for all things basketball, featuring lots of interaction with his 31,000 followers.
7. @ClarenceGaines2
Think @realgranthill33 I may highlight one of my college scouting reports on @Iam1Cent - Here's one on you: http://t.co/HlTterIW
— Clarence Gaines (@ClarenceGaines2) September 25, 2011
This longtime scout's feed features an excellent range of NBA-related curation. But the real treats come when he digs up his old scouting reports on teenagers who would go on to become some of the game's biggest stars.
8. @tomhaberstroh
Just filed a story to ESPN wherein Chris Bosh politely used the word "defecate." Just another day at the office.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) October 28, 2013
This ESPN analyst is a top-notch source for news, analysis and more.
9. @JaValeMcGee34
RT @JaValeMcGee34 KIDS HAVE FUN IN COLLEGE ... CUZ A C DEGREE IS THE SAME AS AN A DEGREE!
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) October 29, 2013
Anytime the NBA and the Internet get together, JaVale McGee has to be included. Remember that time he used Twitter and a platypus to prank the mean-spirited sports media? He also retweets himself — so there's that, too.
10. @TTwersky
Simple Stat of the Night: Atlanta Hawks PF Elton Brand had 7 blocked shots. Last time he did that in a regular season game was Feb, 2007.
— Tzvi Twersky (@TTwersky) October 9, 2013
If you grew up loving basketball in the '90s you surely remember SLAM magazine, where Twersky is a senior editor. His passion for the game is equal to anyone's, and he frequently shares stats and insights you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
11. @stackmack
each of these andrew wiggins @GQMagazine photos are great. starting to get veryyyy excited for his season. http://t.co/S3ZatTCoJM
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) October 25, 2013
This Canadian writer covers the Toronto Raptors primarily, but is a fantastic follow for all things NBA.
12. @Dame_Lillard
Paul pierce got GAME..
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 27, 2013
The Traiblazers point guard won Rookie of the Year last season but he's MVP-caliber on social media — as this lucky fan can confirm.
13. @StephenCurry30
#WarriorsLive gets underway in about 10 minutes. I'll show you @Warriors HQ and then you can watch practice live here http://t.co/g4wxablBx7
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) October 26, 2013
Curry inched toward superstar status last year in leading the Warriors on a surprise playoff run. Online, he's fun, personable and runs a monthly contest for fans.
14. @TrueHoop
Kobe Bryant lands 25th in #NBArank, which @jadande says will not please @kobebryant. @TrueHoopTV http://t.co/NrgcP6TNkJ
— Henry Abbott (@TrueHoop) October 16, 2013
ESPN's TrueHoop blog is another NBA account that could get you through the season on its own. It's a true must-follow for any NBA fan.
15. @WojYahooNBA
Y! Sources: Golden State, Andrew Bogut agree on 3-year, $36 million deal that could reach $42M with incentives. http://t.co/4Rq8eFkLMp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) October 25, 2013
Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski breaks seemingly every notable NBA story, so following him on Twitter is a no-brainer. His columns are first-rate as well.
16. @DraftExpress
Our NCAA prospect preview rolls on. We're now 110 players in, not including freshmen prospects. Catch up on all here http://t.co/PWY6UsJVHx
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 24, 2013
Half the fun of paying so much attention to the NBA is projecting and pontificating on what will happen down the line. This site gives an early look at the pro game's next big stars.
17. @HowardBeck
Lots of fun stuff in NYT feature on Knicks-Nets. But nothing funnier than Knicks fan @powellnyt referring to JR Smith as "our stoner guard."
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) October 26, 2013
Sports media-watchers were stunned when Beck left the New York Times for Bleacher Report this summer. You can be sure his writing and reporting will remain top-notch wherever he goes, however, and tracking his progress will provide an interesting look at BR's evolution.
18. @Hoya2aPacer
Question. Who was the best tv dad from the '90s sitcom era? Not the '80s the '90s.
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) October 25, 2013
Roy Hibbert is one of the world's tallest nerds and an upper echelon NBA center. He told us his Internet secrets last year and remains a more-than-worthy follow on Twitter.
19. @langwhitaker
Some interesting stuff in the @NBAcom GM Survey... http://t.co/RciNu8jM0a
— Lang Whitaker (@langwhitaker) October 22, 2013
You can find Whitaker on NBA.com and NBATV. He provides a steady stream of all things NBA.
20. @kobebryant
Dropped 5lbs in a day #getinshape #nutrition
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) October 11, 2013
Kobe is arguably the game's biggest star but just joined Twitter in January. He hopped on with a predictable vengeance, quickly becoming one of the world's must-follow athletes regardless of sport. Heck, he's probably using his 20th-place inclusion here as further motivation to become even more of a social media machine.
Image courtesy Flickr, Keith Allison