NBA to ban tights

[Vingianx]

I guess I am in the minority here, but why call them uniforms if they are going to be different? What if a player wants one leg purple and the other gold? Is that okay? Or striped leggings? Okay? I personally don't like them or the shirts you often see underneath the jerseys. I believe a team should look like a team. And, believe the league needs to regulate things like this. Players hair, tatoos, etc are individual to their body...but I believe a uniform is supposed to be the same by definition, tradition and what looks the best.

I know what you're saying about being a TEAM is true... but remember we're talking about a league that is full of individuals who like to distinguisht themselves from the rest....i.e. if they take away the ben fro it would hurt the Palace's wig sales

IMO i think this sort of things makes the league more fun and attractive than just watching a bunch of same looking players play and not knowing who just dunked it cus that player looks the same as the center, or PF, or SG, or PG

[ambchang]

Well I belive knee braces, goggles, ankle tape help prevent/mitigate injury. Yes I think half the team in regular socks and half knee high looks like . But that is just my opinion. I doubt I would call rings and watches part of a uniform. Would you have part of the team with regular jerseys and part in throw backs? Why not just practice jerseys, or better yet shirts and skins?

So does those tights. They help the muscles stay warm, and lessen the probability of pulling a muscle.
And you have illustrated my point exactly. Where do you draw the line by your definition? Do you draw the line at the tights? Or do you draw it further down the line, until every single player dresses in exactly the same fashion?
The biggest thing NBA had for them was the individuality of the players. Jordan with his double wrist band up his elbows, Kareem and his goggles, Rodman and his hairdo, Iverson and his rows, these are the things that markets them. But then, the NBA wants to kill something that is inconsequential. I seriously do not see how tights could affect the image of the league. So is some guy, some casual fan going to watch a game, noticed that 5% of the player on the court (that averages to have 1 every game with two teams of 10 regular rotation guys) wear those tights, doesn't like it, and never watch the game again?

[Circe]

First, what's the problem with playing shirts and skins? I'd love to see the shirts and skins game and maybe David Robinson would come out of retirement for it.

Secondly, uniforms identify the players with their team. They can do that without depriving players of whatever undergarments or assistive technology they feel they need to play their best game and avoid injury. If one guy has to wear a mask to protect his sinus cavity to feel safe and play well, let him wear it. If another guy wants to wear goggles to protect his eyes (I'm not sure why they all don't wear goggles), so he can play without worrying about getting his eye poked out, let him wear goggles. And if another player thinks tights keep his muscles from tightening up on the bench, let him wear freaking tights. Nose guards, goggles, and tights all look completely dorky, but if they help some of the greatest athletes in the world play even better, without giving them an unfair advantage or causing permanent injury, why would anyone mind--unless it's not really about the sport but some weird uniform gratification.

[veronicamae]

I really hate the tights, I think they look stupid, like Kobe running around with completely purple legs lol.

That being said, if they keep their lower extremities warmer than without, they will be less prone to muscle strains, and better able to play with pre-existing injuries. Kobe has worn a simple leave on his calf for more than a season, so I think it's safe that he's not doing it for the sole reason of fashion.

I believe it is within Stern's rights to implement whatever code he wants - it's his league after all. It's no different than any other workplace banning certain types of clothing.

And to the people that think this is racial - omg, get over it - why does EVERYTHING have to be racial? First the dress code was racial, now the banning of leggings? LOL it's time to stop playing the race cards...seriously.

[veronicamae]

David Stern is rediculous.

In 5 years, you won't be able to have corn rows, white guys won't be able to have long hair, it will have to be combed or gelled.
There won't be any headbands, wristbands, sleeves of any sort allowed.

Stern will also force players to wear shoes that are only 1 color: white for home, black for away. Not even any accent colors, just all white or all black.

And in 10 years, players will be wearing bowties as part of their game uniforms.

Stern will also replace the draw-strings from the shorts with leather belts that are attached to them.

pathetic...

dramatic...

[veronicamae]

The dress code had some substance and points. The NBA wants a better image instead of looking like a thug. No harm in that, but maybe pushed a little far.

But no tights? Which are we talking about? Sleeves and such? Or under the shorts?

The tights that are full length, from waist to ankle: