The significance of social media in various industries is broadening. Sports figures are utilizing it as well, and the NBA has been encouraging of such behavior.

Earlier this week, BA TV announced the winners of the 2013 NBA Social Media Awards presented by SAP during a one-hour show which celebrated NBA players, teams and fans for their social engagement during the 2012-13 NBA season.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant took home two awards – the “Social MVP Award” and the “140 Award” for the best use of characters in a tweet.

The Miami Heat’s Harlem Shake video, which has received more than 45 million views, won the “OMG Award” for the team with the best video shared via social.  Additional winners included Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook receiving the “#Trendsetter Award,” and Portland’s Damian Lillard accepting the “Social Rook of the Year Award.”

The NBA Social Media Awards presented by SAP were hosted by Chris Webber (@realchriswebber), Entertainment Tonight correspondent Rocsi Diaz (@rocsidiaz) and Golden State’s Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) as a special in-studio correspondent.

The awards were divided into various categories and accounted for social activity across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and more. Fans determined the winners for several categories via voting across Facebook, Twitter and mobile.

Highlights from the NBA Social Media Awards presented by SAP are also now available.

NBA Social Media Award winners:

Social MVP Award – for the player with the most engagement across social media platforms

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (@KobeBryant)

OMG Award – for the team with the best video shared via social

WINNER: The @MiamiHEAT’s Harlem Shake video, which received 45 million views

Epic Award – favorite game during the regular season, as voted by fans

WINNER: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics, March 18, 2013 – the epic nail-biter that became the 23^rd win during the Heat’s 26-game winning streak

FTW (For The Win) Award – the team/player who had the most shared/liked buzzer-beater during regular season

WINNER: Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis

SnapShot Award – for the player who posted the best picture of the year

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (What fight? @DwightHoward and his dukes-up pose with @KobeBryant)

140 Award – for the player with the best tweet of the year

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (Tweet: Amnesty THAT, after defeating the Dallas Mavericks)

#Trendersetter Award – for the player that displayed the best sense of style via social media

WINNER: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (@russwest44)

LOL Award – the team/players who had the most shared/liked blooper video during the regular season

WINNER: Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (@JaValeMcGee34)

Social Difference Award – for the player that showcased his off-court humanitarianism in the community

WINNER: Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (@PauGasol)

Social Rook of the Year Award ­ for the rookie with the biggest increase in popularity across social media platforms

WINNER: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (@dame_lillard)

Social Slam Award – the fan-favorite dunk during the regular season

WINNER: Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan  (@deandrejordan)

Fan Nation Award – the team with the highest percentage of increased exposure across all platforms including all players on their respective team (*awarded prior to the telecast)

WINNER: Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers)

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.

What other sports figures have caught your attention on social media?