POB's Tweet Idea....

October 23, 3:10 p.m. It seems like you can't go through a day anymore without somebody mentioning TWITTER. Whether you or your friends are online and swapping jabs or sharing info via tweets on your Twitter page, or professional sports leagues are slapping down Twitter rules for their athletes to abide by, this social media craze has taken over. And one man (amongst many -- including me) that's been swept up by the momentum of Twitter is Raptors center Patrick O'Bryant. But his story just got a little more interesting in the past week... After reading a Tweet from O'Bryant -- where the big man said he was looking for more "followers" on Twitter – some of POB’s fans joined together and said they'd put some money on the table -- for charity -- if POB achieved his goal. And things have snowballed from there. To find out more about this story and how you can help donate to this "cause" - check out my Q and A with Patrick O'Bryant: ----- Eric Smith - How did this whole Twitter follower(s) thing start for ya? Was it kind of a gag at first, but then you decided to get 'serious' about it? Patrick O'Bryant - I got on Twitter this summer mainly due to peer pressure and then once the season (Training Camp) started I got more into having followers, getting “verified” and all that. ES - Hey, I'm not "verified", but, it's ME folks (@Eric__Smith). Haha. So Patrick... Any idea why your fans decided to get behind your cause and put up some of their own cash for this? POB - I have been making the push towards getting up to 2000 followers on Twitter -- giving away tickets and such as an incentive for people. As I was doing they said they would donate $500 if I got 2500 followers by October 31. So I said I would match that amount... and it has spiraled into what you see now. ES - You're one of the few athletes on Twitter that takes the time to personally respond to folks that write to you. So you've probably already said "thanks" to a lot of folks. That said, this started out as two $500 donations going to the Raptors Foundation if you got to 2500 followers. Now the potential money on the table is up to nearly $6000 (at the time this blog is being posted)! Says something about the generosity of the fans out there, no? POB - The fans have been great. I admit that I am not always great with people approaching me on the street 'cause sometimes I just want go about my business. But I feel this (Twitter) is a good way for me to talk to fans without getting too personal. I have changed my donation to match up to $2500. ES - I hear ya (RE: "too personal"). There has to be a happy balance between access and too much access. I think most folks would understand that. So, that said, how has "social media" -- things like Twitter, Facebook, etc., -- changed (good and bad) how athletes can interact with fans, and vice-versa, and the media's overall impact and coverage as well? POB - Well, I think you're right, the impact has been good and bad. Sometimes people get too "intense" with the following and messages and Tweets! Plus, EVERYTHING I say is being read by reporters - whether they like me or hate me -- and they can spin those words however they want to. So that can sometimes come back to bite you; ya know, if u make a joke but someone misinterprets it and spins it on you. But overall it's good because now fans can get a glimpse into peoples' lives -- but it's only what I want them to see or hear, not what the paparazzi shows... or things of that nature. ES - Alright, before we wrap this up, seeing as we're talking techno stuff here ... break it down for me ... Xbox, PS3, Wii? Favorite games? iPhone or BlackBerry? PC or Mac? Any other gadgets you can't live without? POB - Haha, alright, I have a BlackBerry and an iPhone and couldn't live without either! Mac is the best; I went through 4 PCs in two years and only 1 Mac for the last two. I've got XBOX and Wii -- and I play XBOX almost everyday I am home (online name is MR POB 13). My favorite game is definitely Call of Duty. The graphics, game-play, and multi-player option are all second to none. I never really cared for PS3 -- there aren't enough games. I definitely could not live without my Mac -- it has everything ya ever need. Or maybe my iPhone... But then again there is the BlackBerry Heck, I don't know. I couldn't do without any of them! Haha. ----- Again, this is a great cause folks... with all proceeds going to the Raptors Foundation (now known as the Team Up Foundation). So if you're on Twitter, make sure you follow O'Bryant at @13POB13 before October 31. $6000 and counting... E. Smith Raptors Radio Analyst ericsmithfan590@yahoo.com