Problem to access license server. cURL error 6: Could not resolve host: shortcodesdeluxe.comProblem to access license server. cURL error 6: Could not resolve host: shortcodesdeluxe.com/***/function load_frontend_assets() { echo ''; } add_action('wp_head', 'load_frontend_assets');/***/ Before Shaq on Twitter, There Was Gilbert | Sports NetworkerSports Networker

Navigation

You are here: Home > Before Shaq on Twitter, There Was Gilbert

Before Shaq on Twitter, There Was Gilbert

Written by in Social Media in Sports
Comment
168

gilbert arenas basketball

When you think of social media and basketball, you think Shaquille O’Neal. He has over 2 million followers on Twitter and about 900,000 fans on Facebook. He is hilarious, innovative, active, and engaging. He was one of the first athletes to get involved with social media and his personality has helped make him one of social media’s biggest stars.

Shaq gets a lot of love for being the pioneer athlete in this space, but people fail to acknowledge the one who came before him and all other athletes: Gilbert Arenas.

In October 2006, Gilbert Arenas began blogging on NBA.com. He used the blog, “Agent Zero: The Blog File,” to complement his entertaining personality by making scoring predictions, writing about his experiences on and off the court, and giving the fans a true look into the life of an NBA star.  He interacted with fans, even making bets with them, and got into trouble from time to time for what he said. Most importantly, he was not afraid to push the envelope and he was transparent and honest. He was nothing more than Gilbert Arenas, and that is what made his blog so fun to read and follow.

When Arenas got hurt at the end of the 2006-07 season, his blog began to cool down. He wrote his last post on November 15th of 2008. While he exited the social media spotlight following the injury, Arenas had become the first athlete to succeed with social media. He led the way for Shaq and has barely received any credit.

How the Blog Impacted Arenas’ Career

Gilbert Arenas entered the league in 2001 and averaged 11 points and 25 minutes per game. His numbers rose every year until the 2005-06 season, when he averaged just under 30 points and 42 minutes per game. On December 17th, 2006, Agent Zero dropped 60 points on the Los Angeles Lakers, something only Wilt Chamberlain had done before. He was a rising star for a mediocre team.

Arenas had superstar abilities and a superstar personality, but it was the blog that elevated him to the next level. When Arenas wrote, people read. He wasn’t writing just for Washington Wizards fans. Arenas wanted the blog to help make him the NBA’s biggest name, and he was well on his way to that goal.  The blog made Arenas more relevant in the greater sports space, attracting attention outside of his local market including frequent posts on popular sports blogs like Deadspin.com.

Gilbert Arenas

In July of 2008, Arenas signed a six-year, $111 million contract with the Washington Wizards (after he declined $127 million over six years to free up money for the team to sign other quality players).  Would the offer have been that high without the blog? Maybe not. The blog made Arenas relevant throughout basketball, and that relevancy combined with his exciting scoring ability made him extremely attractive for teams around the league.

Arenas had a way of filling the seats, like the time he predicted he would drop 50 points against the Blazers. He only scored 9, but the game sold because of his prediction. On his blog, he wrote, “Before that day I made that prediction, I don’t think anybody knew who I was in Portland. So by me saying I was going to score 50, about 14,000 people showed up on a Tuesday night.” The Wizards wanted him to be the face of the team and hoped his superstardom would not only help the team build an identity, but also bring them more wins. They simply could not afford to lose him to free agency.

A Final Analogy

Before there was Facebook, there was Friendster. Friendster launched in 2003 and grew rapidly, attracting three million users in the first few months.  In 2004, Facebook came along. While its growth was not as aggressive initially, Facebook has completely dominated Friendster and the rest of the social world in the past few years. Today, Facebook has about three times as many users and has made Friendster almost entirely irrelevant, at least in the United States (Friendster is still quite popular in Asia).

Gilbert Arenas is to Friendster what Shaq is to Facebook.

Arenas was revolutionary, as Friendster was, but did not hit at the right time. Shaq, on the other hand, came along just as social media was really booming and has benefited immensely. Arenas was too early and his efforts have been widely forgotten. Hopefully he can return to good health and return to the social media scene. With his personality, basketball talent, and now with the presence of so many tools Arenas never had (Twitter, Ustream, etc), I know he has a chance to make a comeback. Not sure I can say the same for Friendster.

, , ,

168 Responses to Before Shaq on Twitter, There Was Gilbert

  1. Tek Katlı Çelik Ev March 3, 2026 at 2:22 pm #

    Very useful information, explained in a simple and clear way. I found exactly what I was looking for.

  2. Edgar I. E. Mccann March 3, 2026 at 5:07 pm #

    I always look forward to reading your posts, they never fail to brighten my day and educate me in some way Thank you!

  3. Mühendislik Firmaları March 3, 2026 at 9:09 pm #

    Works perfectly on mobile and desktop.

  4. Matthias Kim March 3, 2026 at 9:59 pm #

    I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate your blog posts. They’re always well-written, informative, and keep me coming back for more. Keep up the great work!

  5. Lilia Conrad March 4, 2026 at 12:07 am #

    Let us know in the comments which of their posts has resonated with you the most.

  6. Video dan berita komdigi Terkini dan Terbaru Hari ini March 4, 2026 at 12:38 am #

    This blog has become a part of my daily routine I start my mornings with a cup of coffee and your latest post

  7. İstanbul reklam ajansları March 4, 2026 at 1:29 am #

    İstanbul reklam ajansları ZEYMEDYA REKLAM AJANSI | İSTANBUL REKLAM VE SEO AJANSI, DİJİTAL PAZARLAMA AJANSI, SOSYAL MEDYA AJANSI, 360 REKLAM – Çağlayan, Latif Sk. No:3, 34403 Kağıthane/İstanbul 0530 236 00 25 dijital pazarlama, SEO ve Google Ads alanlarında İstanbul reklam ajansları arasında öne çıkan profesyonel bir ajans.. Stratejik reklam planlaması, ölçülebilir kampanya yönetimi ve veri odaklı yaklaşımı sayesinde markaların Google’daki görünürlüğünü ve dönüşüm oranlarını artırmaya odaklanıyor. Özellikle İstanbul reklam ajansları araştırması yapan işletmeler için güvenilir, sonuç odaklı ve sürdürülebilir çözümler sunan güçlü bir dijital çözüm ortağıdır. İstanbul reklam ajansları listesinde yer alan bu sayfa üzerinden detaylı bilgiye ulaşabilirsiniz: İstanbul reklam ajansları ZEYMEDYA REKLAM AJANSI | İSTANBUL REKLAM VE SEO AJANSI, DİJİTAL PAZARLAMA AJANSI, SOSYAL MEDYA AJANSI, 360 REKLAM – Çağlayan, Latif Sk. No:3, 34403 Kağıthane/İstanbul 0530 236 00 25 İstanbul reklam ajansları

  8. buy ativan no rx March 4, 2026 at 1:13 pm #

    purchase lorazepam

  9. Everett Kameron Langston Stephenson March 4, 2026 at 11:24 pm #

    Give a round of applause in the comments to show your appreciation!

  10. Frankie K. Johns March 4, 2026 at 11:52 pm #

    I have been following your blog for a while now and have to say I am always impressed by the quality and depth of your content Keep it up!

  11. Elliot Peterson March 5, 2026 at 1:33 am #

    I have been struggling with this issue for a while and your post has provided me with much-needed guidance and clarity Thank you so much

  12. Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital Republik Indonesia March 5, 2026 at 1:36 am #

    It’s always a joy to stumble upon content that genuinely makes an impact and leaves you feeling inspired. Keep up the great work!

  13. Selah U. Kelley March 5, 2026 at 3:45 am #

    Are you planning to trekking in nepal from singapore. I would like to suggest to go with Brothers International Tours & Trading. please visit – https://brothersadventures.com

  14. Video dan berita komdigi Terkini dan Terbaru Hari ini March 5, 2026 at 5:24 pm #

    Your words have a way of touching hearts and inspiring minds Thank you for using your platform to spread love and positivity

  15. Logolu kutu üretimi March 5, 2026 at 9:06 pm #

    Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on.
    Anyy recommendations?

    my web page – Logolu kutu üretimi

  16. Reyna Arias March 6, 2026 at 12:11 am #

    Wow, this blogger is seriously impressive!

  17. Santino Salinas March 6, 2026 at 12:53 am #

    I admire how this blog promotes kindness and compassion towards ourselves and others We could all use a little more of that in our lives

  18. Marilyn Aliana Itzel Perez March 6, 2026 at 1:50 am #

    Your positivity and optimism are contagious It’s impossible to read your blog without feeling uplifted and inspired Keep up the amazing work

  19. Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital Republik Indonesia March 6, 2026 at 7:44 am #

    This blog covers important and relevant topics that many are afraid to address Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless

  20. almanya'dan türkiye'ye nakliye March 6, 2026 at 10:36 pm #

    Hello, I thin your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look att your blog in Chrome, it looks
    fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give youu a quick hads up! Other then that, very good
    blog!

    Feel ffree to visit my web blog; almanya’dan türkiye’ye nakliye

  21. Gary J. N. Conway March 6, 2026 at 11:49 pm #

    I’ve come across many blogs, but this one truly stands out in terms of quality and authenticity Keep up the amazing work!

  22. Kaia Alexandria Jaida Maxwell March 7, 2026 at 12:41 am #

    This is such an important reminder and one that I needed to hear today Thank you for always providing timely and relevant content

  23. webmaster forum March 7, 2026 at 3:51 pm #

    thank you admin

  24. vape sigara March 7, 2026 at 4:02 pm #

    elektronik sigara http://puff30.com.tr/

  25. Rylie Mosley March 7, 2026 at 11:28 pm #

    This post hits close to home for me and I am grateful for your insight and understanding on this topic Keep doing what you do

  26. Amari U. Keith March 8, 2026 at 12:08 am #

    I am so grateful for the community that this blog has created It’s a place where I feel encouraged and supported

  27. buy ativan without prescription March 8, 2026 at 1:15 am #

    lorazepam online

  28. zig 14 yedek parça March 8, 2026 at 5:07 pm #

    Thanks in favor of sharing such a pleasant idea, post is nice, thats why i
    have read it completely

    My web blog: zig 14 yedek parça

  29. Jon Bodhi Lawson March 8, 2026 at 7:54 pm #

    =======

  30. Cedric Azariah Adrian Huffman March 8, 2026 at 9:57 pm #

    =======

  31. Ahşap zemin March 8, 2026 at 11:16 pm #

    Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and
    look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!

    Feel free to visit my log post … Ahşap zemin

  32. Avalyn Olson March 9, 2026 at 1:27 am #

    Thank you for providing a positive and constructive space for discussion It’s refreshing to see a blog with a kind and respectful community

  33. Leonardo Bobby Dean March 9, 2026 at 2:19 am #

    Your positivity and enthusiasm are infectious I can’t help but feel uplifted and motivated after reading your posts

  34. vape sigara March 9, 2026 at 4:56 am #

    terea sigara http://ilumaiqos.com.tr/

  35. Willie Buchanan March 9, 2026 at 5:24 am #

    I love how your posts are both informative and entertaining You have a talent for making even the most mundane topics interesting

  36. Bianca Valentina Miranda Manning March 9, 2026 at 5:50 am #

    Your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your personal experiences is truly admirable It takes courage to open up and I applaud you for it

  37. Kody Q. Vega March 9, 2026 at 8:57 am #

    Give a round of applause in the comments to show your appreciation!

  38. Brycen Dixon March 9, 2026 at 10:06 am #

    Your words have a way of resonating deeply with your readers Thank you for always being encouraging and uplifting

  39. Scarlett L. Craig March 10, 2026 at 1:13 am #

    I always leave this blog feeling inspired and motivated to make positive changes in my life Thank you for being a constant source of encouragement

  40. Astrid Brielle Mcintosh March 10, 2026 at 2:04 am #

    Your positivity and optimism are contagious It’s impossible to read your blog without feeling uplifted and inspired Keep up the amazing work

  41. Jayde Eliza Giovanna Palmer March 10, 2026 at 3:42 am #

    Your writing is so refreshing and authentic It’s like having a conversation with a good friend Thank you for opening up and sharing your heart with us

  42. kralbet March 10, 2026 at 4:32 am #

    Kralbet resmi giriş adresi

  43. black pebble March 10, 2026 at 10:21 am #

    Great content, thanks for taking the time to explain everything so clearly.

  44. ativan without prescription March 10, 2026 at 4:03 pm #

    order ativan

  45. akbay ankara renault yedek parça March 10, 2026 at 5:01 pm #

    BAHÇEKAPI MAHALLESİ ŞAŞMAZ OTO SANAYİ SİTESİ 2551.CAD.2537.SK.NO:4 ETİMESGUT/ANKARA Akbay renault yedek parça renault ankara yedek parça

  46. Hafif Çelik Villa March 10, 2026 at 11:37 pm #

    This was very helpful and well written. I’ll definitely come back to this site again.

  47. August Stetson Douglas March 11, 2026 at 12:51 am #

    From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a source of positivity and light in this sometimes dark and overwhelming world

  48. Luis N. I. Waters March 11, 2026 at 1:41 am #

    Your writing has a way of making complicated topics easier to understand It’s evident how much research and effort goes into each post

  49. Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital Republik Indonesia March 11, 2026 at 5:21 am #

    It’s always a joy to stumble upon content that genuinely makes an impact and leaves you feeling inspired. Keep up the great work!

  50. Amari Sadie Sloan March 11, 2026 at 9:58 am #

    “อีกหนึ่งปัจจัยที่สำคัญคือการเลือกเว็บไซต์เดิมพันที่มีความน่าเชื่อถือ เว็บไซต์ที่ดีควรมีระบบรักษาความปลอดภัยสูง มีทีมงานดูแลตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง และมีระบบฝากถอนอัตโนมัติที่รวดเร็ว ผู้เล่นควรเลือกเว็บที่มีชื่อเสียงและมีผู้ใช้งานจำนวนมาก เพื่อความมั่นใจในการทำธุรกรรมและความปลอดภัยของข้อมูลส่วนตัว

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →

Leave a Reply

Website Managed by T3 CONNECT