The NBA wanted to emphasize its social media guidelines this week to curtail trash talking among teams on Twitter. A memo circulated from the league office stated:
“Teams are prohibited from mocking and/or ridiculing opponents (including teams, players, team personnel (including owners) and opponents' home cities) and game officials on social media in any form, including through statements, pictures or videos."
The memo came as a result of banter between Chandler Parsons and C.J. McCollum that bled into the official Blazers team account, which began siding with McCollum and mocking Parsons.
On Friday night, the Hawks and Kings played, and both teams decided that instead of pushing back against the NBA memo — they’d have some fun inside the rules. The sarcastic back-and-forth became one of the highlights of the night:
@SacramentoKings Hey guys. Hope we have a nice clean game tonight and let's be nice to each other on social media k?
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
@ATLHawks pic.twitter.com/I5cOg47d5i
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Dwight Howard got the ball in the lane and slammed it home. After the Hawks posted a GIF, the Kings were quick to compliment:
@ATLHawks Just outstanding vision. Indescribably awesome slam dunk. Nice execution!
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Ensuring the compliments weren’t one-sided, the Hawks kept up the niceties:
@SacramentoKings Thanks! INCREDIBLE arena you guys have here. First time here...simply gorgeous.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
So did the Kings ...
@ATLHawks You know, we really appreciate Philips Arena too. That organist - just wow. Great touch.
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Both arenas are really nice, but let’s talk about jerseys. The Kings were wearing their blue throwbacks on Friday night:
@SacramentoKings Yea, @Sir_Foster is , kind of like those baby blue throwbacks
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
@ATLHawks Don't even get us started on your jerseys. That lime green is special!
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
@SacramentoKings We call it "volt", but you can call it lime. Whatever works for you, we're good with it!
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
They even complimented each other on how well each team was playing!
@ATLHawks Is it because you guys are playing electric on the court right now?
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Despite Atlanta having the lead, the Hawks didn’t want the Kings to feel bad:
@SacramentoKings Don't get discouraged. Three quarters left, we fully expect a run from you guys. Chins up.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
@ATLHawks Really appreciate the support. We're in this together. #BFFL #Friendship
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Paul Millsap was having a great game, so of course he needed some compliments:
@ATLHawks Someone call an ambulance, this guy is on
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
32 never looked so good!
But the Hawks wouldn’t let that one go without giving DeMarcus Cousins props too ...
@SacramentoKings 1 of 2 guys on the court tonight who has been selected to at least 3 straight All Star games. The other is really good too.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
The Hawks scored over 50 in the first half, which meant discounted pizza from Papa Johns:
PIZZA TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/1gEUjCxjaG
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
@ATLHawks Happy to help guys, everyone loves pizza!
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
Ben McLemore drained a three in the third quarter ...
.@BenMcLemore up to 18 PTS all from long range pic.twitter.com/zZFea2bxkm
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
... and the Hawks were big fans:
@SacramentoKings Is it too late to get him in the three-point contest next weekend?
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
What a half from the @ATLHawks! Hopefully we can make a big comeback again! pic.twitter.com/E0tOnEZ2OI
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
@SacramentoKings We prefer you don't but it would sure be impressive if you did. This game is far from over!
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017
The comeback was on ...
.@ATLHawks You guys called it. Great prediction - this is why we're friends. Here's to a fun final quarter! pic.twitter.com/qxm44QO03M
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
The Kings won, but more importantly: They made a friend:
Quite the contest, @ATLHawks! At the end of the day, we're most happy about our new #Friendship. #KingsFTW pic.twitter.com/wuQElggeCz
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 11, 2017
@SacramentoKings We ❤️ you guys and your graphic designer. Glad we got to make a new friend! #Friendship
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2017