Twitter is a better place because of Kobe Bryant.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar joined the social media service earlier this year, and it's safe to say he's had a stellar first year. Bryant has racked up four million followers in 2013 and he opened up on Twitter in a way few other athletes have.
But Bryant was far from the only athlete to make a splash this year with a tweet or two. Here are some of the best individual tweets of the year that were featured on ThePostGame. For the best Twitter interactions involving multiple athletes or fans, see here.
Bryant posted a terse tweet after Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested that the Lakers should amnesty him. He posted 38 points and and 12 rebounds against Dallas and then this tweet, which drew props from Cuban himself.
Amnesty THAT
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 24, 2013
But I do have to give props to @kobebryant for a great tweet. #Welldone.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) February 24, 2013
Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson helped a homeless man in Miami to a dream shopping spree and documented it via Twitter. Here are some of the best tweets.
That episode The Kardashians took the homeless guy and cleaned him up? Can I do the same and take this guy out tonight or that's a bad idea
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 28, 2013
Day 2 with PorkChop at "The Clevelander" he's killing everybody with new Jordan's plus he talking to some chick pic.twitter.com/51uuMrpzTL
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 28, 2013
Washington Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins sent out this memorable message after he was drug tested in a peculiar place.
NFL's off-season drug testing at my grandma's town-home! I'm all for a clean game but weird having a stranger watch u in your own bathroom
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) March 13, 2013
Floyd Mayweather used Twitter to spread holiday "cheer."
This is my Christmas card to the world... Happy Sleepy Holidays zzzzzzzzzzzz pic.twitter.com/ynxAJiJmyS
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) December 23, 2013
Two special teamers, New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford and Indianapolis Colts kicker Pat McAfee, tweeted out photos of drug test requests they received after having big games.
Guys... Make one random tackle... And end up on a "Random" steroid test.. Must be my bod #UpperBodyOfAnAdolescent pic.twitter.com/s9B7LrS89Y
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 21, 2013
This is how I'm greeted when I get 2 work today. Two 65+ punts and now U wanna test me? Random? Hmm... pic.twitter.com/EmN1yANEZB
— Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) November 25, 2013
A tweet LeBron James sent out about a police escort to the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert in Miami prompted a formal investigation.
They treat us so well! Needed it cause traffic was nuts!! http://t.co/UIWRZE2BVQ
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 17, 2013
Bryant zinged NBA commissioner David Stern with this stinging message he sent from the 2013 NBA All-Star game.
At least lil @CP3 and baby Mamba can play together NBA can't veto this one Ha! pic.twitter.com/pJAjr2wJ
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 17, 2013
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin posted a neat photo of his public transportation commute:
Thanks for the ride to work @septa_social #bus17 pic.twitter.com/K00TUJc8KE
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98) October 15, 2013
Staying with the Eagles, 6-foot-6, 310 pound offensive lineman Lane Johnson posted this photo of his newborn son's enormous hands:
Big ol hands pic.twitter.com/lFmoxDqWKe
— Lane Johnson (@Lanejohnson65) August 13, 2013
During a Q&A session he held on Twitter, James said he'd love to play one NFL game before retiring. As one can imagine, that tweet received lots of attention:
"@TylerC_2: @KingJames would you ever consider playing in one pro football game? In any league?"(I wanna play one NFL game before it's over)
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 19, 2013
Hip hop singer Macklemore voiced his displeasure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who in 2008 relocated from his hometown of Seattle, for playing one of his songs at games.
RT @coug123: So apparently the OKC blunder are using @macklemore 'Can't hold us' as a song to hype up the crowd in their arena <-OH HELL NO!
— Macklemore (@macklemore) May 13, 2013