LeBrocalypse 2014

I promised myself I wouldn’t get myself excited or get my hopes up. I told myself don’t fall for the media hype like I had just four short years ago.

But I did. I admit it. I have all of the syndromes of LeBrocalypse 2014.

I can’t stop listening to sports radio (which I rarely do). My Twitter feed is a constant stream of updates from local and national media, many who I hadn’t followed prior to last week when free agency kicked into high gear. I’ve memorized all of the appropriate hashtags (#LeBronWatch2014, #ComeHomeLeBron). I started following @KingJames again and keep track of LeBron’s latest meetings, Instagram posts, as well as his wife’s.

In the state of constant updates that social media offers us the ability to track every little move our favorite athletes or celebrities make. We also have the unique opportunity to act like a media source – tweeting every rumor or RTing the latest release from one of the National sports media. It’s a constant update of who’s said what and who is considered a source, compared to a rumor. And while Twitter was around during the last “Decision”, it appears to be much more fueled with rumors this time around. All it takes is one simple tweet to send fans into a tailspin – at any time of the day. Even our media sources, who used to be the first to break news, are turning to Twitter to wait for the next “Decision”.

While Twitter may be considered just social media, it’s turned into so much more than that. It’s a real-time news source where we can learn about the latest together, speculate on the next big rumor or share our own news. It allows anyone to be a journalist. But we have to remember to take it all with a grain of salt.

Until it comes from the mouth – or Tweet – of @KingJames, it’s all rumors…for now.

For the record – I am convinced LeBron is “coming home” and yes, I know Cleveland is not technically his home.