Trolls will be trolls, it seems.
Last week the NBA released new rules preventing teams from "mocking and/or ridiculing" each other on social media. It didn’t take long for teams to poke fun at the regulations with a little sarcasm.
The Sacramento Kings — whose persistent trolling on Twitter probably had something to do with the NBA's new rules — decided to take things in a friendlier direction on Friday night. Playing the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento congratulated Hawks forward Paul Milsap on a nice shot from downtown and wished him a happy birthday.
The sarcasm only accelerated when Atlanta responded.
@ATLHawks You know, we really appreciate Philips Arena too. That organist - just wow. Great touch.
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
@ATLHawks Don't even get us started on your jerseys. That lime green is special!
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Their exchange goes on, but you get the idea. If you tell snide social media professionals not to do something, they'll abide, but find the snarkiest way to do so.
Just ask the NFL.
After it prohibited posting GIFs or video of game highlights, two teams did exactly that, but with a hilarious twist.
Teams in the NHL took some shots at the NBA's new social media rules, too. The Dallas Stars started to display some affability toward the Nashville Predators, but quickly corrected themselves.
The NBA's rules are meant to keep things more cordial on social media, which some teams have had trouble with lately. In the span of a couple weeks, the Portland Trail Blazers trolled an opposing player for missing a shot and Sacramento roasted the Cleveland Cavaliers after an overtime win.
"Recently, social media postings (e.g., on Twitter) by some teams have crossed the line between appropriate and inappropriate," NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum wrote in the memo sent to teams on Thursday. "In addition to other concerns, such conduct by teams can result in 'Twitter wars' between players that can cause further reputational damage and subject players to discipline by the League."
The Kings and Hawks took that direction to extreme lengths on Friday.
@ATLHawks Is it because you guys are playing electric on the court right now? ???
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Following the rules while simultaneously roasting them. Social media at its finest.
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