Purdue Pharma led the 21st century in the rise of painkiller abuse, which ultimately led to a catastrophic increase in addicts, fatal overdoses, and blighted communities. Similarly, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other media outlets are causing addictions, sports as we know them.
High schoolers and collegiate athletes are posting their lifestyles (or hopes there of) and building their brands. I’m all for buildings brands. I’m also an advocate of having a good product behind said brand. Young athletes (or maybe I should say athletes in general) have forgotten the need to work the “craft” before they concern themselves with posts, views and likes.
Athletes have used social media to report on themselves, rendering the ancient journalist/reporter obsolete. Quietly something peculiar started to happen. Athletes (especially amateurs) started to get noticed more for their antics in the posts and not for what they were doing on the field of play.
No family has manipulated social media more than the Ball Family. But now we are starting to see the effects of an overdose. Eldest son and best basketball of trio Lonzo, has found it difficult to find his footing in the NBA. Truth is, he is a true professional and will probably turn out to be fine in the NBA, but the continued pressure from his father is weighing heavy. The youngest LaMelo has struggled to keep control of celebrity. He has become one of the biggest social media celebrities ever at his age. According to father Lavar, Lamelo was told by the coach at Chino Hills High School that he could not shoot the ball 50 times, so Lavar pulled him from Chino Hills. Lastly and most tragic was LiAngelo being accused of shoplifting in high-end stores in China with two other teammates. The last two will not play one second in the NBA, but may have had a chance had they just focused on the sport. Rule 4: Never get high on your own supply.
