In Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavs, NBA Gets Its Social Media Dream Finals

By combining every known property and personality under its umbrella, the NBA prides itself on its social media dominance compared to other North American professional sports leagues. Across platforms, from subscribers to impressions to engagements, the Association is always quick to point out such superiority.

While the Golden State Warriors have been dominating on the court, they have also been dominating online. While there were grumblings of a conspiracy about the League desiring the Warriors in the Finals, the Commish can’t be upset with that very outcome given Golden State’s digital prowess against bigger stars and bigger market teams.

Looking at MVP Index data, throughout the playoffs, throughout the season and over the last two seasons, the team’s online efforts have been in a league of their own. This is no small feat given the visibility and creativity of NBA players and franchises alike. While the slick-shooting shtick may end up running its course, the fact the Warriors social rankings are what they are is a testament to the mass appeal of the Bay Area ballers.  They’ve left LA, Miami, NY and Chicago in their rearview.

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Via Wall Street Journal‘s Jason Gay, Adam Silver “believes this tech is effectively redrawing the NBA map — where the attention and power is, and more important, where it can go, which is basically anywhere. In the same way the Internet has disrupted every industry, it’s disrupted the sports industry as well.”

To his credit, he may see the democratization of NBA content and conversation as a good thing, but you can bet he’s going to try to shape it as he likes to benefit the league. “It is completely beyond our hands,” Silver said, “but at the same time, we can help facilitate it.” (Read: we will find a way to have our cake and it it too.)

Lest you think the little guy is always going to find away to knock of the Goliath, alas! The King is still the King, but in LeBron v. Steph, the Commish gets a match-up of his top social players (despite James’ playoff social media blackout).