Sideline Scoop: Troll So Hard

With the rise of social media sites and messages boards, Internet trolls have also become increasingly popular. For those who do not know, a troll is defined by Wikipedia as "person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people by posting inflammatory, extraneous or off-topic messages in an online community with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion." For more information on trolls, check on the YouTube channel Gloves and Boots' informative guide on trolls and the levels of trolling.

This also means that trolls have found their way into the sporting world. And no, it's not just the fans. Even athletes, teams and general managers are starting to show signs of becoming trolls. Let's take a look at just three examples from the past few weeks.

1. Houston Rockets got jokes!

Meet Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez, who is probably better known for his hair than his playing ability (though that is not shot at his skill level). The Trail Blazers are taking on the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs and, during Game One of their series, the Rockets sent out of the following tweet, more or less comparing Lopez to Simpsons' character Sideshow Bob.

You know, I think they may be on to something...

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, who has given Michigan plenty of fits on the field, is now taking shots at the school off the field.

2. Aren't rivalries great?

It's the spring, which means it's the quiet downtime of the off-season for most football players.  It also means that college spring games are underway, and any chance a team has to take a shot at a rival is free game. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller took the opportunity to send out a tweet comparing the spring game attendance's of his school to that of their biggest rival, Michigan.

Toronto Raptors' GM Masai Ujiri pumps up fans using some unique language.

3. Toronto Raptors' GM is not the biggest fan of Brooklyn. Apparently.

The Toronto Raptors are in the playoffs for the first time since 2008, so the city is understandably excited. The team is hosting the Brooklyn Nets, and prior to the first game of the series, Raptor General Manager Masai Ujiri was giving a speech to help pump up the fans. Thanks to Instagram, we have video of what transpired (WARNING: NSFW language). There has been somewhat of a rivalry between the two franchises ever since the Raptors traded Vince Carter to the Nets and Carter, who some believed was not trying his hardest in Toronto, suddenly became a star again for the Nets.