Stern bounces ideas for better NBA image
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | September 29, 2005
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NBA commissioner David Stern spent yesterday making one public appearance after another, flying from the Senate hearing on steroids in Washington to a National Braille Press gala last night at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston event honored Stern along with world-class blind climber Erik Weihenmayer and drew a contingent of Celtics past and present. At a time when Stern, the NBA, and the Celtics are increasingly concerned about the image projected by players, the gala provided an opportunity to foster good relations between the players and community, and highlight the Celtics' charitable efforts. Just the kind of positive publicity Stern likes to generate.
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. Players will be required to attend pregame autograph sessions and participate in pregame giveaways of T-shirts, hats, and wristbands. Inactive players will greet fans and community groups on game nights. The league increased the players' minimum number of community relations appearances from 10 to 12. Players must make themselves available to the media for at least 15 minutes after practice. And among other new rules, there will be a dress code Stern expects to include sport coats and collared shirts, and exclude bluejeans. When it was mentioned that some of the league's most highly regarded players, such as Tim Duncan, dress more casually, Stern said, ''Well, the job description has changed."
''We're working on a job description," said Stern. ''It's to help the players understand what the job is. The job is not only to go to practice and win games. The job is representing the NBA to all cons uencies. Community relations. Public relations. Sponsor relations . . . Maybe for a variety of reasons we pulled back too much. Or maybe we got spoiled by a generation of players who did these things as a matter of course and as we got younger we moved away from them. So, we have to slowly remind ourselves [what to do].
''Sometimes I worry that our players' intensity can be misconstrued and their effort can be misconstrued. They are the most intense, the most dedicated. I think the younger base of our fans understands that, but perhaps, the mid-to-older aren't quite as attuned to it. We'd like to use our convening power to have people focus on this game and our great players, who they are and how they play, rather than their variance from some norm . . . Being neatly attired in a certain way, that's going to be our norm."
While some fans may view ins uting a league-wide dress code as treating the symptom and not the problem, Stern sees it as a small step in re-educating players about proper conduct.
''The dress code is, to me, a continuation of things [after the league mandated teams wear either warmups or shorts for the national anthem last year, but not a mix.] It's a small thing that contributes to a sense of professionalism. It's what the job entails. We've always moved to the fashion of our players. Years ago, the fashion was a jacket and tie. Now, it's a much more casual approach. But our referees are always attired a certain way based upon their job description when they come into the building. Our coaches are attired a certain way when they come on the court. We decided that it was time [for the players]."
Stern noted that some teams have more strict dress codes than the one the league plans to ins ute. That said, the commissioner also believes code-of-conduct-type rules generally should fall under purview of the league to ensure fairness. When the Celtics' plans for a Code of Conduct came up, Stern called it ''just a restatement" and said it was ''announcing the obvious with an air of discovery." Still, the Celtics promise to be ahead of the curve in all matters relating to professionalism and community relations. Owner Wyc Grousbeck said the team would do ''20 percent more" than what the league mandated. That kind of commitment was one of the reasons the implication of Tony Allen in a recent Chicago nightclub incident in which there was a shooting upset Grousbeck so much.
But Allen was not the only NBA player to be in the wrong place at the wrong time recently. Wizards second-round pick Andray Blatche was shot in the chest last weekend, and the Bobcats' Marvin Ely was robbed and shot at early yesterday morning. While he would not say so directly, Stern is certainly concerned about these kinds of incidents and the image they project.
''What went through my mind when it was the second time is that our players have to be more careful because they are inviting targets in places where they might or might not want to be," said Stern. ''It's going to be our job to remind them [of the dangers]. It's something that we clearly have to be concerned about. But really, less for the image and more for the safety."
Last edited by jaffies; 09-29-2005 at 03:08 PM.
Wow, thank you so much David Stern for saving the league. If this only this policy had been in place a few years ago. I could totally see Damon Stoudemire and Rasheed Wallace leaving the arena in Portland.
"Yo Sheed, wanna get high tonight?"
"No, Damon. We're well dressed, so we can't possibly break the law."
about goddamn time Stern.
Maybe the players will dress like proffessionals instead of slobs now.
Make awesome people like Timmy change to wear a coat and tie when people like Kobe are already wearing a coat and tie running around raping people.
GJ Dstern.
Memorandum: Wear a Coat and Tie to change our public image.
Should be
Memorandum: Stop Raping little white girls and wear whatever the you want.
Evidence that he did?Stop Raping little white girls
Court of law convict him?
That's not going to go over really well.Players must make themselves available to the media for at least 15 minutes after practice. And among other new rules, there will be a dress code Stern expects to include sport coats and collared shirts, and exclude bluejeans. When it was mentioned that some of the league's most highly regarded players, such as Tim Duncan, dress more casually, Stern said, ''Well, the job description has changed."
Tim probably just won't do interviews anymore
him, or allen iverson.
Having to dress like normal proffessionals really strikes a chord with multi millionaire basketball players.
I've seen Iverson in suits at least 20 times. I don't think he minds as much as Tim will.
That's not going to go over really well.
Tim probably just won't do interviews anymore
I thought that before I read any replies...
AI dresses cool. Who cares what the they wear
Court doesn't count.I've seen Iverson in suits at least 20 times
That was a good one. But I was talking about postgame interviews and other press stuff.
You have players making kids in every city they play in, drug use, spousal abuse and sexual misconduct in the NBA. Yes, make the players wear a coat, that will fix everything!Stern, you are not a fashionista, have a coke and a smile and shut the up.
Requireing proof on a message board is like making someone register to become a parent.
You say or do things because they feel good, to with the consequences.
If he's going to force them to talk to the media then can he enforce a "no stupid ass question" rule for the press covering the teams? There's a reason why some of these guys don't bother with the press. There are plenty of guys in the league like Rasheed Wallace who have proven they're willing to pay 15K to avoid having to deal with these people night in and night out. If anything I think this is going to make things worse because you're going to have more guys put in positions where they have to talk to the press in situations that they might have otherwise avoided. How many more Rasheed playing PSP and Jason Williams' "You ain't ritin' nuthin'" incidents will this incite? That's not what's going to help the NBA's image.
that
I'm pissed now What the Stern is doing?
Now the players won't be able to show their own style
damn authograph - trhat should be in players intencions
The boss of the company.Who cares what the they wear
When you walk into a resteraunt, would you feel better or worse that they are wearing a uniform?
Or wearing nose rings, baggy shirts and ed hair and looking like they just came from a 5 day frat party.
Its called proffessionalism hippie.
professionalism my a$$
you dont think players influence the way kids dress and such??You have players making kids in every city they play in, drug use, spousal abuse and sexual misconduct in the NBA. Yes, make the players wear a coat, that will fix everything!
Ignorance is thy name.
what were u born in the 1920's or something? Times change old timer.
I kind of understand this sentiment (they are, after all, multi-millionaires), but, really, what does it matter how they dress walking in and out of the arena when they wear what amounts to baggy underwear to do their job? I don't really get why anyone would care what the players wear to interviews. Tim may dress casually, but I think he represents the NBA just as well any player dressed in an expensive suit.
I actually like it that Stern is trying to promote a more professional atmosphere. I don't think the dress code is written in stone yet. I'm guessing that the wanted "sport coat" requirement won't happen and it will probably be changed to just button down shirts required and no jeans allowed.
I can wear jeans and a t-shirt to work and I am as professional as they come. Clothes do not make the man. If a player is a gangsta-ass thug or malcontent, they will be so whether they wear an armani suit or baggy jeans and a wife beater.Its called proffessionalism hippie.
[QUOTE]dont tempt me with some jokes.professionalism my a$$
you dont think wearing a suit and cleaning up is better looking for a business than walking around wearing FUBU and having hats half ed...
Of course not.
BTW, im waiting for the first, im a racist recant, that is so pithy and hilarious.
To you?? Maybe.I can wear jeans and a t-shirt to work and I am as professional as they come
To a customer?? ehhhhh youd have to ask em.
People need to quit thinking about themselves and think what Stern is trying to do.
Clean up the "gansta" image.
Period.
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