New NBA "dress code"

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

At the end of the day this won't have a big impact on the Spurs since the league and the media are going to try to hide them away from the cameras like an ugly stepchild like they always have. TD could dress up like a clown for his interviews and I don't think anyone outside of San Antonio would actually notice.

I think this whole situation is best summed up by an old friend of mine who graduated from UH and then went to work at one of the worst inner city schools here in Houston. They changed to a strict uniform dress code. The impact was minimal. In his words, "Well the bad news is that there's still a bunch of drug dealers at the school, the good news is that now they are dressed much more respectfully."

[ObiwanGinobili]

I'm really shocked at how vehemantly people are reacting to this new dress code.
It's not like the players are being held down and oppressed by "the man" or something.

personally I never understood why there wasn't a dress code all ready. not to mention that it is a part of the new CBA. which means that the players union took an equal part in negotiating it and settign it;s guidelines. they had thier say and they've agreed.

In decades past proffesional athletes always dressed respectable for company events etc when off the field. I appreciate that look and image of professionalism and respect.

[MadDog73]

Meh, I don't really care. To me, banning ipods in pregame warm-ups is more stupid than requiring people to wear suits to interviews.

Stern has done worse things....

[SWC Bonfire]

I like the idea, it makes the league look (and probably behave) more professional. A lot of players already wear suits to interviews (Bruce Bowen springs to mind). But I think that this should be left up to the teams. I have no problem for any team to say that you will have to adhere to a dress code when addressing the media.

[SpursWoman]

Re ed. What does wearing a suit have to do with basketball? I have to believe there are more important things for Stern to address.

Professionalism my ass. They aren't accountants.

Hey...I'm an accountant. And right now at work I'm wearing jeans and flip flips.

[ducks]

is stern going to make them wear boxers or underwear?

[angel_luv]

Hey...I'm an accountant. And right now at work I'm wearing jeans and flip flips.

Counting your blessings, eh?

[Spurminator]

"Professional Image" is such an archaic concept. Who the cares if they're wearing jeans or not?

Give me a break. Just because some people have a bigotted reaction to baggy clothes ("they look like thugs") doesn't mean the NBA needs to protect those people.

What's next, banning corn rows and tatoos?

[SWC Bonfire]

I disagree, Spurminator. The image you project to the public is very important.

If you are a teammate or front office person, how would you rather see your team represented with the picture plastered on the internet worldwide - Tim Duncan came out and spoke for the team in a sports jacket, or Brent Barry came out looking like he just dropped acid with Scooby in the back of the mystery machine?

(That is not an indictment of anyone's dressing habits, just an illustration).

[Spurminator]

Honestly, it just doesn't matter to me. I think the NBA has every right to ins ute a dress code, but I think it's more of an indictment on people's irrational perceptions than an indictment on players' dress habits.

Sure, the NBA is doing what a lot of businesses would do... They are trying to combat some of the public's view of their players as thugs. Even though that view is unsubstantaited and in many ways racist. I would much rather see the NBA try to reverse those biases... Show images of players dressed in what most suburbanites think of as "Thug Clothes" reading to children or doing other volunteer work.

[Spurminator]

ARod is one of the best dressed players in all of baseball, and most people consider him to be a soulless robot. I prefer personality, and that carries over into dress. I like that Duncan dresses casual, I like that Shaq dresses like a pimp, I like that Iverson dresses in a way that relates to where he came from. I like that Brent Barry looks like someone you could call up and play video games with. It's personality.

It's much more relatable to the average fan, IMO. The dress code strikes me as trying to relate to the Corporate Suite Box CEOs bringing their clients to the arena to discuss everything but basketball.

[nkdlunch]

The NBA is a business for entertainment. Therefore the players are entertainers. They are not comparable to employees for some Coorporate business. Get real.

exactly

[MiNuS]

Tpark, you're a racist.

Suits don't mean . A sport coat doesn't mean . Jeans don't mean .

Do you wear a sportcoat when you operate that tiltawhirl?

How come carney girls have no teeth, is that a requirement?

WTF over.

you owe me Tpark!

I am going to back up Tpark on this one.The Nba needs a lift after last year's debacle. Since Jordan left the Bulls the NBA is getting very ghetto with the cornrolls,the sideways caps,the very dressed down look.
C'mon these guys make millions of dollars a year and can't make a good statement with a coat and slacks!

It reminds me of people that go to church in shorts and their AC/DC shirts.Have a little more respect!

I back you up Tpark on this.

[Kip Fanatic]

All I can say is that its about dang time. I am in my mid-twenties and I can relate to the corn rolls, tats, Sean John, ball caps, and etc. I like to dress casual. I love shorts, flip flops, jeans, un-tucked shirts, and etc. However, my job requires me to dress business casual. The company pays me and that's how I survive. If they tell me I have to wear a suit, I have to. If I have to cover up my tattoo on my forearm, I have to. Why? They freakin' pay me. If I don't like it too bad. Its called respecting those in authority over you. That's the problem with people today. I am young and from a different generation, but I believe we must respect those who are over us. It seems like crap at times, but its life. Is it such a big deal for NBA players to wear a collared shirt and dress pants? They make millions of dollars, travel all over the U.S, stay in the best hotels, and play basketball for a living. I congratulate Stern on this. If I ever have my own company/business I will allow myself to wear whatever I want, but until then I have to obey the rules because I want to eat, live in a house, drive a good car, and be able to buy things I want. The players need to understand this. Its not Stern against them. Stern just happens to run the company they work for and this is one of his rules. Get over it. It has nothing to do with this being a different generation and personality. Its a business that they (NBA players) work for, not own.
The autograph session is awesome. I cannot stand that professional atheletes don't want to sign something for a kid or a fan. What is the big deal? It takes no more than 10 seconds to sign your name on jersey or card. The fans make the NBA go. Period. They owe it to the fans. I don't give a crap what anyone says. If the fans were to quit buying tickets, buying the jerseys, and other souveniors, where would the players get their money from? I have seen a lot of kid and their parents get turned off by players who snub them when they are asking for a picture or an autograph. There are some that do take the time to sign items and pose for photos and I'll tell you this, the fans walk away with a great feeling. That's what its all about.

[angel_luv]

I'm just happy that the Spurs have always been great to the fans and aren't just starting this year cause Stern is making them.

[ObiwanGinobili]

All I can say is that its about dang time. I am in my mid-twenties and I can relate to the corn rolls, tats, Sean John, ball caps, and etc. I like to dress casual. I love shorts, flip flops, jeans, un-tucked shirts, and etc. However, my job requires me to dress business casual. The company pays me and that's how I survive. If they tell me I have to wear a suit, I have to. If I have to cover up my tattoo on my forearm, I have to. Why? They freakin' pay me. If I don't like it too bad. Its called respecting those in authority over you. That's the problem with people today. I am young and from a different generation, but I believe we must respect those who are over us. It seems like crap at times, but its life. Is it such a big deal for NBA players to wear a collared shirt and dress pants? They make millions of dollars, travel all over the U.S, stay in the best hotels, and play basketball for a living. I congratulate Stern on this. If I ever have my own company/business I will allow myself to wear whatever I want, but until then I have to obey the rules because I want to eat, live in a house, drive a good car, and be able to buy things I want. The players need to understand this. Its not Stern against them. Stern just happens to run the company they work for and this is one of his rules. Get over it. It has nothing to do with this being a different generation and personality. Its a business that they (NBA players) work for, not own.
The autograph session is awesome. I cannot stand that professional atheletes don't want to sign something for a kid or a fan. What is the big deal? It takes no more than 10 seconds to sign your name on jersey or card. The fans make the NBA go. Period. They owe it to the fans. I don't give a crap what anyone says. If the fans were to quit buying tickets, buying the jerseys, and other souveniors, where would the players get their money from? I have seen a lot of kid and their parents get turned off by players who snub them when they are asking for a picture or an autograph. There are some that do take the time to sign items and pose for photos and I'll tell you this, the fans walk away with a great feeling. That's what its all about.

Kip , I am seriously starting to wonder if were seperated at birth....

[Mixability]

All I can say is that its about dang time. I am in my mid-twenties and I can relate to the corn rolls, tats, Sean John, ball caps, and etc.

Cmon, lets get it right first: Corn Rows!

Moving on: Nothing is wrong with the way the players dress now, it gives them personality. Stern should just come up and say what he really means, "Stop dressing soooo Black!" Get over it. Pretty soon Stern will be rewarding players with the least amount of technical fouls "free dress days"!

[picnroll]

Just curious. Is this something the player's association could or would fight? Does the CBA give Stern the authority to dictate a strick dress code?

[Kip Fanatic]

Kip , I am seriously starting to wonder if were seperated at birth....

Why do you say that?

[ObiwanGinobili]

Just curious. Is this something the player's association could or would fight? Does the CBA give Stern the authority to dictate a strick dress code?

the article says:

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, the NBA and its players' union devised several new initiatives designed to improve the athletes' accessibility and professionalism.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Why do you say that?

becasue I wholeheartdly agree with 99.5% of everythign you say. it's freaky.

[Kip Fanatic]

Moving on: Nothing is wrong with the way the players dress now, it gives them personality. Stern should just come up and say what he really means, "Stop dressing soooo Black!" Get over it. Pretty soon Stern will be rewarding players with the least amount of technical fouls "free dress days"!

Who is in charge of the NBA? Stern. Nuff said. What he says goes? If they don't like it? Then go find another job where you get to stay in the best hotels, travel all over, play basketball for a living, and get paid millions of dollars. Good luck on that one.

[ShoogarBear]

Kip , I am seriously starting to wonder if were seperated at birth....

Why do you say that?

Because of the black tape on your nipples.

[Kip Fanatic]

becasue I wholeheartdly agree with 99.5% of everythign you say. it's freaky.

Too bad you're married.

[Samr]

I think the number of court convictions and technical fouls a player receives should be directly proportionate to the enforcement of his individual dress code.