The Memphis Grizzlies’ 32nd overall pick is aware of the troubles within social media that come alongside the NBA player status.
The life of an NBA rookie can be compared to many facets of everyday life. It brings its hard knocks from time to time. It is truly a learning experience. For the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jevon Carter, he is putting his wisdom to use when it comes to social media.
Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Snapchat. Whether you like it or not, we are surrounded by social media. It is almost as if it keeps the world turning nowadays. You cannot escape it.
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For NBA players — athletic celebrities showcasing tremendous skill — social media will follow you even if you do not participate in it. The target is always on the back of professional athletes, even when they are not out in public. This is why avoiding mistakes is critical in protecting one’s positive image.
Jevon already gets it. He knows better. Social media has plenty of trolls throwing punches. This particular NBA rookie vows to not be triggered during his inaugural professional season. This will only make him more likable as the 2018-19 season progresses. Regardless, he will fit the brand due to his tenacity on the defensive end of the floor.
https://twitter.com/nextlevel_03/status/1037466284974395392?s=21
Carter does not have to look far in his own team’s history for a live-and-learn experience involving the harsh world known as social media. Chandler Parsons, entering his third season as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies organization, has had several rough encounters with trolls and upset fans on social media platforms.
Most recently, Parsons smoothed over a social media beef involving a former NBA bruiser. This was an ugly situation that can be seen as a turning point in the forward’s outlook as being a Grizzly. At this moment, Chandler started to focus on his play on the court. It took someone on his level — an athlete/celebrity — to put him in his place.
Chandler Parsons has been on a roll with social media trolls long before the beef with Stephen Jackson. There has been several times the Florida product has engaged in conversations with a random tweeter regarding his max contract and his production.
i signed a contract i earned. you would do the same nephew https://t.co/2MO2vZHVio
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) July 28, 2018
Why does Chandler even respond to the bashing? Each time, he just makes it worse upon himself. Just ignore it and let your play on the hardwood drive the response. Hopefully Jevon Carter is taking plenty of notes — which it appears he has been doing just that.
One of the lowest points in Parsons’ short tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies came when he posted a photo on Instagram where he set off in the sunset to “Chancun.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQk9FzJBNwV/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=zcl87w9x0qvr
This caused No. 25 to get booed on his home floor inside the Grindhouse. It has to be a certain level of bad for a fan base to boo one of its own players — especially one making more than $20 million per season. Alternatively, the paycheck was one of the reasons Parsons was being booed. His production did not merit the money.
Of course, NBA players are entitled to vacations and exotic trips. However, while other members of the team are working hard, Chandler was not healthy enough to play in a game, but he was healthy enough to party it up with his clique. At that particular time, his focus remained on all things outside of basketball.
These are a few instances in which Jevon Carter has probably already noted to avoid when coming into close contacts with the outside world on social media. The target is officially on his back. The type of reception he gets is in his hands — both on and off the hardwood.
The Memphis Grizzlies are known for keeping a veteran core and having a strong veteran presence inside the locker room. Though in a new era of Grizz hoops, even the likes of Chandler Parsons can lead by example based on his past mistakes with social media. You live and you learn.
Be sure to follow Jevon Carter on Twitter and Instagram to keep updated on his preparation for the 2018-19 NBA season.
Go Grizz!