Twitter.

Whether you’re on it and love it, hate the idea of it, are intimidated by it, or somehow haven’t heard of it yet, the new “this is me and here is what I’m doing” internet application is likely here to stay. And, just like you, some of your favorite NBA players are using it too.

By now you probably know the basic idea behind Twitter. You create a profile – much like MySpace or Facebook (albeit a simpler one) – and post comments, questions, statements, or digressions of 140 characters or less. You can then “follow” anyone else’s micro-blog and other “twitterers” can follow your “tweets.”

I think most people would agree that the coolest thing about Twitter is the access it gives you to personal information about your favorite actor, singer, or athlete. We can basically stalk to the lives of celebrities and may even have the chance to interact with them.

So what does this mean for hoops fans?

There are several NBA players that are active on Twitter and navigating through all of their tweets can be daunting.

Luckily, you have us.

This is the first installment of a bi-monthly series that helps you make sense of the NBA Twitter community and actually dissects what these guys are posting about…

Twitters followed:
Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash, Chris Bosh, Charlie Villenueva, Tyson Chandler, Kyle Korver, Danny Granger, Baron Davis, Jason Thompson, Randy Foye, Andrew Bogut, Mark Cuban, Jalen Rose

NBA TWITTER POWER RANKINGS
1. Shaquille O’Neal (Phoenix Suns)
2. Baron Davis (Los Angeles Clippers)
3. Charlie Villanueva (Milwaukee Bucks)
4. Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)
5. Jason Thompson (Sacramento Kings)

* * *

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

Shaquille O’Neal has clearly become the NBA spokesperson for Twitter. I actually first heard of the web site from him. But the really remarkable thing about Shaq’s Twitter page is how interactive he is with his followers.

Par example, on March 13th O’Neal twittered:
twitterers on scottsdale and lincoln I'm here tag me for a prize u got ten minutes ps I'm sittin on the hilton sign 9 min left
(10:28 PM Mar 13th from TwitterBerry)

Then on March 17th:
the ritz carlton wt my agent whoeva touches me gets two tickets tomorro.

Shaq constantly has contests for fellow Twitterers. He tells you where he is and gives a prize to who can find him first. Let’s just hope the paparazzi doesn’t start using Twitter for their evil stalking deeds. Not likely.

Shaq also used Twitter last week to start a whimsical (we think) feud with LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Both O’Neal and James have recently organized funny pregame performances. Shaq bowls over his teammates and LeBron takes a picture.

In Shaq’s Twitter he questions James’ originality:
Uh oh people lebron didn't make up the camera skit my main man chad johnson did look http://tinyurl.com/da6w3m stop it at 55 seconds
(5:24 AM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry)

Not sure how Diesel has time to scour YouTube for the clip, but we like it.

What I learned about the Diesel in two weeks:

HAS eaten at Jack-n-the-Box:
I'm at jack n the box wit my man @schlizzag he's the bomb
(5:22 PM Mar 16th from TwitterBerry)

DOES want to be a 35 and older Calvin Klein model:
dnt laugh I wanna b a calvin klein 35 and older underwear model shhhhh dnt tell anybody, gotta 4 pak tryna get a 8 pak
(5:36 PM Mar 16th from TwitterBerry)

DOES make jokes involving marijuana:
A Rastaman walks n2 a bank & hands the teller a bag of weed. She says "Sir, what is this 4?" Da Rasta said, "Mi wan open a joint account!
(7:27 PM Mar 11th from TwitterBerry)

DOES think the fellow Twitter’s name “ChinaVagina” is funny:
@ChinaVagina thanks nice name lol
(4:41 AM Mar 13th from TwitterBerry)

* * *

CHARLIE VILLANUEVA

It was bound to happen. And it did.

Villanueva did what no NBA Twitterer had done before… Twittered… At halftime. (the audience rumbles)

I do admire Chuck’s balls (and not just because they’re hairless). Sneaking off to your BlackBerry at halftime of a game with the reigning World Champions to Twitter takes some Rafterys (Onions!!).

Charlie V undoubtedly gets our Twitter commitment award.

The NBA's Twitter King (Shaq) even chimed in and ripped Villanueva in the process:
Attention all twitterers I'm a tweet at halftime and not get fined like vill a new wave a whteva his name is
(5:57 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry)

* * *

BARON DAVIS

You gotta love B-Diddy’s Twittering, simply because he’s locked into the L.A. celebrity scene.

What I learned about B-Diddy in two weeks:

DOESN’T like jokes about marijuana:
on the bus to the game is boring. Tell me a joke somebody. Keep it clean
(about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry)

IS learning to play the guitar:
off to my guitar lessons. In 2 months ima b playing like Hendrix
(8:31 PM Mar 11th from TwitterBerry)

DOES have a sandwich after him at a restaurant called Zebulon:
you are in the city stop by zebulon and order the Baron Davis chix sandwhich. Best in town lolololo
(about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry)

WAS annoyed that fellow Twitterers were calling the restaurant where he was eating:
Stop calling. Please. Come by and buy some food its great here
(2:54 PM Mar 14th from TwitterBerry)

just called the resturant where I was having lunch. Come oooonnnnn.
(2:45 PM Mar 14th from TwitterBerry)

DOES love starch (but ISN‘T a great speller):
there is a potatoe convention here in the hotel. !! Shouts out to Idaho
(7:18 PM Mar 13th from TwitterBerry)

OFFERS too much info:
a chai latte and orange juice. = 30 mins in the restroom. Hahaha. Never again
(1:47 PM Mar 14th from TwitterBerry)

IS very friendly with rappers Talib Kweli and Jay Rock.

* * *

STEVE NASH

What I learned about Steve Nash in 2 weeks:

DOES love soccer:
Big announcement 2morrow in Vancouver...we're getting our MLS soccer franchise!! Thx 4 all your hard work everyone involved! Go Whitecaps!!
(12:09 AM Mar 18th from web)

DOES use Twitter as a soapbox:
I read a unique and interesting article by Sean Penn. http://www.thenation.com/do... Not getting on my soapbox but worthwhile
(11:48 PM Mar 17th from web)

CAN and WILL complain about officiating on Twitter:
Can I complain about refereeing on twitter? just kidding. hope everyone has a great friday.
(10:57 AM Mar 13th from web)

* * *

JASON THOMPSON

DOES like cheap Chinese food:
some panda express. Orange chicken. Mad good.
(5:05 PM Mar 12th from TwitterBerry)

* * *

CHRIS BOSH

The only things I really learned about Chris Bosh from following his Twitter are: (1) He talks about the weather too much and (2) he actually appeared on a local Toronto news program to do the weather:

In case you missed me today doing the weather here's the video for you guys! http://www.youtube.com/CBTV
(1:22 AM Mar 13th from web)

* * *

OTHER NBA TWITTER BITS

Who’s playing Raven Symone? (Jalen Rose):
...I heard someone was making a XXX version of the COSBY show!!??...If so, I will not be a fan...
(10:55 PM Mar 13th from TwitterBerry)

Is it the economy or hoops, stupid? (Mark Cuban):
pickup games 2nite. Im going to be sore tomorrow. I need to get out there more
(8:33 PM Mar 13th from web)

happened again. Go so tied up working and with market. Missed lunchtime basketball game..Im pissed
(12:28 PM Mar 13th from web)

* * *

Todd Kapostasy will be following all your favorite NBA stars on Twitter. He is a contributing writer for NaismithLives.com and the mad genius behind the internet sensation The Top 50 Basketball Commercials of All-Time.

You can follow Todd on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ToddKap and you can follow NaismithLives.com at http://twitter.com/NaismithLives.