Spurs notebook: Duncan decries dress code

[maxpower]

regardless of how things have been done in the past..if the boss wants their employees to represent the company in a certain way, that is his right.

I fail to understand what principle the players use to justify their stand against professional dress.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Given Tim's history of violence I think someone is going to get shot over this whole issue. I remain baffled by Stern's decision. I know it's his job to protect the league and try to make it as popular as possible but I don't see how this really does either. I have never heard anyone say (nor could I logically conceive of someone saying) something like, "I'm a big basketball fan, but I hate the way these guys dress off the court, so I won't watch the NBA." or "I've been an NBA fan for years, but I can't stand the way they look in the interviews."

But Maxpower is right, if Stern wants to do this there's really nothing the players can do. I don't foresee a 2005-06 strike over neckties.

[Zan the Fan]

Have you ever seen Meg Whitman dress? She gets paid millions by eBay, so why she not HAVE to dress up and still be paid as a professional?

Apples and oranges and I really shouldn't have to explain why but I will try to in short.

These guys are the most visible and recognizable athletes (outside of golfers perhaps) in the world. They are the faces of their cities, their teams, and their league. Playing in the NBA is by no means a right, so if they don't want to play by the rules, so be it. Who do you think will be around longer, the NBA or Tim Duncan? This is a no-win situation for the guys who are ing about it so they ought to just suck it up and be company men.

If there was an outcry from NBA coaches about not wanting to wear suits would there really be this much support on boards like this???? Imagine if Don Nelson said he wanted to wear a wife-beater and cargo shorts on the sideline. Methinks people would feel towards the coaches the same way that I (and several sane folks) feel towards the players.

[angel_luv]

I've been torn on this decision which is very silly of me. After all, none of the powers that be are going to take my opinion into consideration.

Originally, I didn't like the idea because I didn't want any of my Spurs to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced.
After Timmy's interview yesterday I am back to that place.

Hi my name is Angel! I cannot be impartial. = )

[ShoogarBear]

OKAY FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME: WHY THE FOOOK DON'T ANY OF YOU CORPORATE SLAGS HARP ON MARK CUBAN FOR THE WAY HE DRESSES?

Anyone who says Duncan has to wear a suit, and Cuban and Holt don't, is a flat-out hypocrite, plain and simple.

[SWC Bonfire]

OKAY FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME: WHY THE FOOOK DON'T ANY OF YOU CORPORATE SLAGS HARP ON MARK CUBAN FOR THE WAY HE DRESSES?

Anyone who says Duncan has to wear a suit, and Cuban and Holt don't, is a flat-out hypocrite, plain and simple.

Mark Cuban is the undeniable argument FOR a dress code. He is childish and impressionable.

[nkdlunch]

I think Stern stumbled into this page: http://www.dba-oracle.com/dress_code.htm

this control-freak's rule won't last long...

[2pac]

I think Duncan should show up for opening night in a tux.

[Rick Von Braun]

I think Stern stumbled into this page: http://www.dba-oracle.com/dress_code.htm

this control-freak's rule won't last long...

[Spurminator]

What's so bad about wearing a suit?

What's so great about it?

[mookie2001]

Duncan wearing a suit, rofl

i'd put that pic in my sig if it werent so....commercial..

no ing joke

[angel_luv]

I think Duncan should show up for opening night in a tux.

Or maybe this:

[Spurminator]

These guys are the most visible and recognizable athletes (outside of golfers perhaps) in the world. They are the faces of their cities, their teams, and their league. Playing in the NBA is by no means a right, so if they don't want to play by the rules, so be it. Who do you think will be around longer, the NBA or Tim Duncan? This is a no-win situation for the guys who are ing about it so they ought to just suck it up and be company men.

In other words, people should accept new rules by their superiors without any objection or discussion as long as they have a good salary. And if they do not accept those new rules, they should just quit without first voicing their feelings on the matter.

[ambchang]

Apples and oranges and I really shouldn't have to explain why but I will try to in short.

These guys are the most visible and recognizable athletes (outside of golfers perhaps) in the world. They are the faces of their cities, their teams, and their league. Playing in the NBA is by no means a right, so if they don't want to play by the rules, so be it. Who do you think will be around longer, the NBA or Tim Duncan? This is a no-win situation for the guys who are ing about it so they ought to just suck it up and be company men.

If there was an outcry from NBA coaches about not wanting to wear suits would there really be this much support on boards like this???? Imagine if Don Nelson said he wanted to wear a wife-beater and cargo shorts on the sideline. Methinks people would feel towards the coaches the same way that I (and several sane folks) feel towards the players.

All fine and good, but why would this NOT apply to Meg Whitman? She's the CEO of the company, and CEOs are employees. She represents the company, she's the face of the company, and eBay is probably going to go on w/o her.
Sure, having dress code is an employers right, but this move defies logic, why would a bunch of atheletes dressed in suits on a plane be good for the sport? Technically, these players are at work during games and practices, perhaps during press conferences as well, but they are not at work travelling to and from the facilities. It's like my boss asking me to dress up on the train to work, it absurd.
And frankly, I have no problem seeing coaches in casual attire. I fail to see how you dressing in a suit will make a coach that much more intelligent.

[ShoogarBear]

What hilarious about all this is that Mike Nolan (49ers coach) wanted to wear a suit on the sidelines this year, a la George Halas, Vince Lombardi, Hank Stram. You know, those losers.

The NFL wouldn't let him. Said all coaches are required to wear those ugly NFL merchandising shirts/sweaters.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

I think Duncan should show up for opening night in a tux.

I'm down with that. And it should be an ill-fitting, old, red crushed velvet one from the seventies that is way too short in the arms and legs. And a silver and black rose on his lapel.

[infinite styles]

These are the faces of a multibillion dollar global corporation. They are paid tens of millions a year by the corporation. It is not too much to ask they represent their employer in a professional way if at least at the beginning and end of their workdays.

It is so sad how much for granted they take the blessings they have been given.

For 10 million dollars a year 99% of the people in this country would do a jig in and out of their work every single day.

You hit the nail on the head with part of your statement. Your right these guys get paid tons of money but most of it is because they have individual style and personalities. Albeit Tim's personality is more of an acquired taste he still gets paid for it. Shoe, clothing and accessory deals rule an athlete's life so when your employer (who coincedentally makes a ton of money off of his employees personality and style) says that you are to change all of this to add a little "class" to the job wouldn't you be a little defiant. Anyways the point is players make money for showcasing and presenting the companies that endorse them, such as: Nike, Adidas, RBK, etc.... and they want to not only protect what they have coming in but also keep the style and personality they have.

My opinion is that if this goes through then Nike and Adidas and RBK will begin producing exclusive "high class" clothing for their athletes that will be eventually mass produced for the public and billions and billions of dollars will be spent to acquire the new Tim Duncan sport coat line.

[ObiwanGinobili]

regardless of how things have been done in the past..if the boss wants their employees to represent the company in a certain way, that is his right.

I fail to understand what principle the players use to justify their stand against professional dress.

thank you.
to me it's that simple.
the boss tells me to dress a certain way and I do.

this whole thing is starting to sound like middle school kids gettign mad about mandatory kakhis and polos....

[Solid D]

It would serve Stern right for requesting "business casual" or "sport coat and slacks" if people responded old school i.e. (photos)

[my2sons]

The several rich men who are complaining about how unfair this rule is can all go screw themselves. Go try and get a job where you have to wear a hard hat to work as part of the dress code then complain about how rough you have it.

I'm sorry, but I really have no sympathy for these guys, Tim included. They aren't being asked to wear team gear or NBA logos. They get to CHOOSE what they wear. It's like a graduation ceremony. Don't want to wear cap and gown? Fine, don't get your diploma. Don't want to look like a professional? Fine, don't get (over)paid like one.

so do you have a problem with tim answering a question. he didn't blow it out of proportion and didn't pitch a fit. all the rule says is players will be fined for non compliance. do you have a problem if he pays the fine and doesn't comply.

[Spurminator]

The players just need to shut up and cave in to social misperceptions like their richer, more spoiled owners want them to.

[nkdlunch]

The players just need to shut up and cave in to social misperceptions like their richer, more spoiled owners want them to.

Nope, that's why they got a Players Association and stuff. If all employees did what u suggest, we'd have no rights at work!

[Guru of Nothing]

So, is this outfit acceptable under the new NBA guidelines for players?

[MiNuS]

Nope, that's why they got a Players Association and stuff. If all employees did what u suggest, we'd have no rights at work!

No rights at work?? As far as I am concerned who ever makes the checks makes the rules.

Last time I knew the NBA still remains the owner and the players are the employees.

[Solid D]

So, is this outfit acceptable under the new NBA guidelines for players?

That's what I am talkin' about, right there!!!