Andrew Pace
There have been many basketball memes over the years, from the Kobe Bryant White Hot Cover Photo to the more recent memes about LeBron James' supposed clairvoyance and high basketball IQ. Sierra Tishgart, a Philadelphia native and CEO of Great Jones, also knows what it's like to become a basketball meme. So, how do you become a basketball meme? Well, it's hard to say exactly, but it often involves being at a game and having your reaction caught on camera, or making a statement that gains traction online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1996 |
| Theme | Sports (Basketball) |
| Media | Image, Video |
| Type | Photoshoped image, Mashup song |
| Subject | Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James |
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What You'll Learn
The Donald Sterling Racism Controversy
This incident caused widespread outrage and led to several consequences for Sterling. The NAACP's official Twitter account tweeted that Sterling would not be receiving a second lifetime achievement award from their Los Angeles branch as previously scheduled. The controversy also caused several of the team's sponsors to leave, including State Farm and CarMax. The NBA barred Sterling from attending any playoff games that season and, on April 29, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling had been permanently banned from the league for life and fined $2.5 million for his racist remarks.
This was not the first time Sterling had been accused of racism. In 2006, the Justice Department sued Sterling for allegations of housing discrimination in Los Angeles, claiming that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics, black people, and families with children. In 2010, Sterling agreed to pay $2.73 million to settle these allegations. Former Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor also filed a wrongful termination suit in 2010, alleging that Sterling had a 'plantation mentality' and rejected a coaching candidate because of his race.
How to Become a Basketball Meme
To become a basketball meme, one must do or say something that captures the attention of fans and the public, often through social media or the internet. This could be an embarrassing or emotional moment, a unique or funny action, or a statement that goes viral. For example, Sierra Tishgart became a meme when she was photographed at a basketball game with her nails painted in her team's colours. LeBron James has also become a meme due to his penchant for claiming to know things before they happen, showcasing his "basketball IQ".
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Kobe Bryant's White Hot Cover Photo
Kobe Bryant's "White Hot" cover photo refers to a photoshop meme that emerged from a magazine cover photo of the NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. Published in the May 2010 issue of the LA Times Magazine, the photo spread was styled by James Valerie and featured Bryant in an all-white designer suit. The white clothing was meant to symbolise his good fortune and success throughout his life.
However, the photo shoot received mixed reactions from fans, sports blogs, and online sports communities. While some criticised Bryant's choice of attire as "bizarre" and "weird", others poked fun at the outfit, comparing it to an Amish look. The photo sparked a wave of creativity, with many people using photoshop to create humorous images of Bryant in his "white hot" outfit. These spinoffs included placing Bryant's face on the Quaker Oats cereal box and imitating the iconic 'Afghan Girl' cover of National Geographic.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the memes, it was reported that Bryant was not too happy with the original photos, deeming them too "artsy" for his taste. This led to some embarrassment for Bryant, highlighting the potential pitfalls of allowing stylists and fashion moguls to craft a look that may not align with the athlete's personal brand or image.
The "White Hot" cover photo and its subsequent memes showcase the unpredictable nature of the internet's reaction to unique fashion choices, as well as the power of photoshop in creating viral content and humorous spinoffs.
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Kevin Durant Can't Watch
Kevin Wayne Durant, famously known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant has had a highly successful career, winning two NBA championships, four Olympic gold medals, and an NBA Most Valuable Player Award. He is also the 19th player of all time to reach 26,000 career points.
Kevin Durant "Can't Watch" is a photoshop meme based on a picture of Durant sitting on the court, facing away from the game as his teammate, Russel Westbrook, threw three foul shots during the final seconds of an NBA Playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers in May 2014. The meme gained popularity and became a symbol of Durant's absence or disengagement from certain basketball events or conversations.
In 2017, Durant claimed that he didn't watch the NBA Finals series after being eliminated in the Western Conference Finals. This sparked some controversy, as many expected him to tune in as a fan or fellow player. Durant's decision not to watch was likely influenced by his confidence in his team's performance and the belief that they would continue their winning streak.
Despite the "Kevin Durant Can't Watch" meme and his self-proclaimed absence from watching certain games, Durant actively engages in basketball broadcasting and commentary. He has joined NBA HooperVision for multiple broadcasts, including the Pacers-Nuggets showdown and the Clippers-Grizzlies matchup, offering insights and analysis alongside other basketball personalities.
Durant's involvement in basketball extends beyond his achievements as a player. He is a spokesperson for the Washington, D.C. branch of P'Tones Records, a nationwide non-profit after-school music program. Additionally, his contributions to the community and his athletic successes were recognized by his hometown of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, which declared August 17, 2017, as Kevin Durant Day.
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LeBron James' Clairvoyance
LeBron James' self-proclaimed clairvoyance and high intellect have become a popular meme in the NBA world. James has been praised by teammates, opponents, and analysts for his high "basketball IQ", including his ability to read defenses, predict plays, and recall basketball minutiae that escapes many others. However, James has also been criticised for his penchant for claiming to know things before they happen and reminding everyone of his intellect, with fans creating "lying" compilations of various situations where James may have stretched the truth.
One example of James' supposed clairvoyance is his prediction of Kobe Bryant's 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history. In an old interview, James claimed that he predicted Bryant's high-scoring performance before the game even started, saying, "I said he was probably gonna score 70 tonight. I don't know what made me say that... When he got to, like, 70, I was like, well he might as well go for 80 now."
Another instance of James' clairvoyance is his prediction of Lakers guard Austin Reaves' breakout performance, which James claimed to have known from their first practice together. James played into the joke, embracing the memes about his clairvoyance and intellect.
Beyond his basketball IQ, James has also demonstrated clairvoyance in his financial decisions. Despite not being the highest-paid player in the NBA, James has built a financial empire, with a fortune estimated to be over one billion dollars. This is attributed to his clairvoyant choices and his ability to revolutionise the sport through his extra-sporting activities, such as seeking advice from American investor Warren Buffett.
The memes surrounding James' clairvoyance and intellect have had a mixed reaction. While some may find embarrassment in becoming an NBA meme, James has embraced the jokes, laughing and responding to them during his show, "The Shop". James is aware of the memes and is proud of his intellect, continuing to remind others of his high basketball IQ.
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Space Jam Remixes
While basketball fans have created memes about various topics, from the Donald Sterling racism controversy to LeBron James' claims of having a high "basketball IQ," the 1996 film "Space Jam" has also inspired its fair share of internet humour. The movie, starring NBA legend Michael Jordan alongside Looney Tunes characters, has had its theme song remixed multiple times, spawning what are known as "Slam Remixes." These remixes are often accompanied by a headshot of former basketball player Charles Barkley, superimposed over the head of a character related to the song.
One example of a Space Jam remix is by Jay Pryor, which can be streamed on SoundCloud and Spotify. Another remix is by CAIEL, also available for streaming on SoundCloud. These remixes are part of the creative ways that fans have engaged with and remixed elements from the film to produce new content.
The phenomenon of becoming a basketball meme can be both embarrassing and a path to feeling famous. Sierra Tishgart, a Philadelphia native and co-founder and CEO of Great Jones, experienced this when she became a sports meme. Similarly, LeBron James has become the subject of memes due to his claims of clairvoyance and high basketball intellect. These memes often compile instances where James boasts about his ability to predict events or know specific details about the game.
The Kevin Durant "Can't Watch" meme is another example of fan creativity in the basketball meme space. It is based on a picture of Kevin Durant sitting on the court, looking away as his teammate, Russel Westbrook, takes foul shots during an NBA Playoff game. This moment captured the imagination of fans, who turned it into a meme, showcasing the unpredictable nature of what can become a viral sensation in the basketball world.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to become a basketball meme, but you can increase your chances by attending games and being expressive with your emotions.
You'll likely find out through friends who are not at the game, alerting you that you've become an internet meme.
It's normal to feel embarrassed at first, but many embrace the fame that comes with it and enjoy their newfound internet popularity.
Some examples include the Kobe Bryant "White Hot" Cover Photo, the Kevin Durant "Can't Watch" meme, and the LeBron James "Clairvoyance" meme.
