Damian Lillard is one of the smartest NBA players out there and he does not just show that on the court but out of it. The Portland Trail Blazers superstar is one of the most active players on social media and he often delivers good reactions to NBA-related topics, is always talking about other sports, and more.
Moreover, on Wednesday, Dame went a little philosophical and dropped a big question for fans, asking them about the impact of social media on the perception of our idols. Dame was curious to know if we would see our old heroes the same way if social media was around when they were active.
“If social media allowed us to know our “idols” of the past the way people know us because of the accessibility … would they still be our idols?” Lillard tweeted.
If social media allowed us to know our “idols” of the past the way people know us because of the accessibility … would they still be our idols?
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 21, 2021
This question earned a lot of answers and the player went viral. Some people compared current NBA stars to the ones in the past, saying they would not take the criticism that other players take nowadays while others claimed some colorful players would have taken advantage of social media.
He wouldn’t be. That’s why he’s the goat. He valued basketball and being the best over everything else. He STILL doesn’t have it. Lol
— Peter Voogd | The MAVERICK 👑 (@PeterVoogd23) April 22, 2021
I think it would help normalize athletes more and fans might start treating them like human beings. I think in 10 years Bc of social media, things will get better
— Matt (@mck1520) April 21, 2021
Let me be clear. I don't place human beings on a pedestal. If I did, I'd be disappointed and stopped watching the game I love. I understand perfectly that no man is perfect. None. Not one. Even those who claim to be are not. If they claim to be, they are lying.
— Peter MaDash (@ItsMaDash) April 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/blameurparents/status/1385001452720984064
Imagine prime Rodman with an Instagram account
— Kendan 🫐 (@kendanc) April 21, 2021
— AD 🤟🏽 (@ADayJr2) April 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/Geezus2K/status/1385016078913269761
They wouldn’t and I can’t see how anyone argues otherwise.
— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/DavidJusticePho/status/1384994243312328706
KD would be so much better off before social media. He threw shade on Russ and Steph inside of ONE WEEK. Not taking anything away from his skill as a baller but that boy miserable and jealous
— Joel (@expedientPP) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/therapyandchill/status/1384991559649792000
Jordan would be and Michael Jackson
— Page Kennedy (@PageKennedy) April 21, 2021
Jordan would’ve gotten flamed for shit he did if social media existed back then 💀
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) April 21, 2021
I think yeah, social media didn't stop me from looking up to absolutely every nba players, nfl players, soccer players… And what we post via Twitter, insta or whatever is what we want people to see, if your idols had social media back then, they would've done the same
— Manuuu (@Prygaz) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/KnicksCast/status/1385255241512374275
This is a very interesting topic to discuss and plenty of fans did it after Dame dropped this. We only have to wonder and speculate how things would have gone if this was the case, but some things wouldn’t have changed. Still, some players from the past are unwilling to join this world, including MJ. Even his daughter said that he hates social media, which is why he doesn’t owe any Twitter or Instagram or anything.
Seeing how things are right now, staying away from social media is a very wise decision from His Airness.
