When it comes to social media, especially in the hands of professional athletes, even the smallest actions can make waves. It’s no secret that stars like New York Knicks forward Josh Hart live their lives under a microscope. Fans dissect their every move, especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), now owned by Elon Musk, whose net worth is $258 Billion. For Hart, an unexpected and cryptic move recently caught the internet’s attention, but not for his game on the court.

Maybe, it was a quiet, calculated gesture on social media involving none other than X owner Elon Musk. Josh Hart’s decision seemed simple enough at first glance, but as with many things online, there might be more to it than meets the eye.

So, what happened? On October 3rd, 2024, Hart briefly followed Musk on X, and not long after, he’s unfollowed him. Now, this might not seem like a big deal, but in the context of social media stardom, even a single follow—or unfollow—can point to something greater.

Social media is often a tool for athletes to connect with their fans, express opinions, or send subtle messages. Remember the fiasco that Klay Thompson caused after ‘cleaning’ his Instagram account? Mind you, the sharpshooter didn’t even say anything but he lived rent-free in our heads, as the community speculated all day. Josh Hart’s decision to follow Elon Musk wasn’t earth-shattering, but when he quickly unfollowed the billionaire, it left many wondering: was this intentional, or just a spur-of-the-moment decision?

Given that Josh Hart has millions of followers himself, and in today’s world every player has a PR agency, it is hard to believe it was an accidental touch. Public figures face scrutiny, so following or unfollowing someone as high-profile as Musk rarely happens ‘by chance’.

The timing also adds to the mystery. Musk, who bought and reshaped X (formerly Twitter), has been at the center of controversy since taking over the platform. His leadership style, often marked by bold, unpredictable changes, has divided opinions. Some love his ambitious vision for the platform, while others criticize his decisions, from restructuring the company to his own personal tweets.

Could Josh Hart’s unfollow be a bold dig at Elon Musk over his functioning of the platform? While he hasn’t said anything publicly about the unfollow, actions like this don’t go unnoticed, especially among fans who pay close attention to their favorite athletes’ social media behavior. Speaking of which, just about a week ago, the hooper was on the same platform causing a soccer-related stir!

This isn’t Josh Hart’s first rodeo on X

It is common knowledge that NBA players use X to take digs to respond to certain news items. The Knicks recently made a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony-Towns. It seemed like Josh Hart was expressing displeasure over this move. He came under a lot of criticism for his tweet. “Uhh…are we serious?” he posted. Within minutes, that tweet went viral.

But in reality, he was tweeting it in regard to his favorite football team Chelsea FC. Josh had to later clarify, writing, “THIS IS ABOUT THE CHELSEA MATCH!” While this was just a case of misunderstanding, a lot of athletes have been facing security issues with their X accounts.

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics had to deal with his account being hacked. The hackers posted offensive tweets under his name that stayed online for days. Brown quickly clarified the situation, but his account seemed to remain hacked for over a week!  

This issue isn’t just limited to NBA stars, UFC athlete Dustin Poirier was a victim of it as well. Crypto and fraudulent posts were everywhere on his account. However, his account was recovered and the posts were taken down. It’s a reminder that hoopers, like Hart, live under a digital magnifying glass where even unintentional or unauthorized actions draw massive attention!

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.