Duncan sounds off on the dress code

[Gatita]

If they were on the ESPN NBA Homepage and clicked a Poll on the Dress Code, I'm assuming they give a .

Hey those polls pop up all the time. The net for many is something to do when your bored. Like me.

And no, I don't give a !

[Spurminator]

Sorry, if someone of color doesn't agree with or like something...the motive behind it is automatically racist. There is absolutely, positively no other acceptable explaination.

But it sometimes is.

Look, I think the Race Card is overplayed too, but there's simply too much evidence of it here, and just because we're tired of the Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons assigning racism to every issue involving a black person doesn't mean we should assume there are not still signs of racism and social prejudice in our culture.

[Spurminator]

And no, I don't give a !

Then get off my soapbox and stop wasting my time.

[Gatita]

Then get off my soapbox and stop wasting my time.

Spurminator, no mames!

[PM5K]

I hate Tim Duncan....

[easjer]

The bottom line for me is that this is a stupid and transparent attempt by some corporate folks and the NBA to pretend that if they dressed more nicely and neatly that they are all good people.

And they aren't and that is stupid. If they want the league to have a different imgae, they need to address the actual problems creating that bad image instead of telling Tim Duncan to tuck in his shirt.

If they'd bothered to market David Robinson or Tim Duncan instead of Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant the league image might not be so bad. But it was way more *interesting* to talk about the Shaq/Kobe fights than David Robinson's donations to the Carver Academy. . .

But don't for a second believe that I'm bittercakes about lack of national interest in the Spurs. The point is that the league could deal with the few troublemakers that are out there ruining their image and highlight the work that Bruce Bowen does or the clinics that Antonio Daniels and Devin Brown hold for kids. There are lots of people out there quietly going above and beyond their jobs in the community and playing quietly and professionally, just as the attire that most of the players wear is just fine, but instead of dealing the problems, the league makes absurd rules about it.

It's plain stupid.

[dbreiden83080]

I'd appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth. My remark was in response to this quote from your post: "their are rules that come with privilege's." The fact is there have never BEEN rules. I have no objection to rules if there are good reasons for them and they make sense. The only reason for these new rules is prejudice. By a few. They are the ones that need to get over themselves. How much money someone makes is totally irrelevant. They still have the right to disagree, and they still have the right to express their opinions of stupid rules, no matter how rich they are nor how much money they make.

As i said before rules change, that is a part of life you have to deal with it. It amazes me that you are anyone else could not feel that money is an issue here. I am not saying that it defines you as a person or you don't have the right to speak out because you are rich. What i am saying is you have less of a right to complain about things like this than people who are going through actual hardships and are really struggling in life.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I hate Tim Duncan....

Well, he thinks you're re ed.

[ShoogarBear]

It is not what they are wearing, it is precisley because there are a bunch of spoiled punks in the league for the most part, and all this whining and pulling out the race card is an example of it.

Dressing and acting like profesionals can help their image, an image that the NBA is trying to improve, since MJ left.

Is that so hard to understand????

So there are no spoiled punks in MLB, or the NFL, or the NHL??

Maybe the NBA shoud look at just what magical things those other leagues have that they don't seem to have such a "spoiled punk" problem, hmmm?

[Spurminator]

Spoiled is in the eye of the beholder.

[Gatita]

Guess it depends on the definition of "Cholo".

In any case, MLB is half "Cholos."

Wouldn't that be the same as:

it depends on the definition of "Black"

[Spurminator]

I was talking about nationality, not style.

[easjer]

As i said before rules change, that is a part of life you have to deal with it. It amazes me that you are anyone else could not feel that money is an issue here. I am not saying that it defines you as a person or you don't have the right to speak out because you are rich. What i am saying is you have less of a right to complain about things like this than people who are going through actual hardships and are really struggling in life.

And you are the one who gets to decide what is a hardship and what isn't, right? Rich people can have freedom to express themselves or complain, but not as much freedom to express themselves or complain as poor people huh? Right then. I guess I can complain more than Tim Duncan, and more than someone making 6 figures, but less than my officemates, because they make less money. Thanks for the formula.

And as for rules changes - there are actually guidelines in place to protect employees from detrimental or unfair rules changes. . . but of course that wouldn't apply here, because they are rich, I assume.

No, wearing a sports coat isn't a big deal. But that's not what I'm arguing anyway. And frankly I don't see where money factors in this equation at all, except for you saying that rich people don't enjoy the same basic rights as non-rich people. . .

[ShoogarBear]

What about if the league suddenly says that an acceptable dress code does not include long hair and a four days beard?

I would love to see Stern announce a rule saying you couldn't have hair touching your collar. A bunch of people in here who don't see a problem would suddenly have a fit.

[SpursWoman]

And as for rules changes - there are actually guidelines in place to protect employees from detrimental or unfair rules changes. . . but of course that wouldn't apply here, because they are rich, I assume.

I really don't GAF about their dress code or if they like it our not ... I just think it's funny that Camby needs more money to buy a jacket.

At least the league brass is being consistant. If they are going to put 3/4 naked girls on the floor to entertain all the men because that sells, then they can put the men in a suit for the woman....'cuz I'd buy anything from a man all dressed up and looking sharp.

[pache100]

I am not saying that it defines you as a person or you don't have the right to speak out because you are rich.

What i am saying is you have less of a right to complain about things like this than people who are going through actual hardships and are really struggling in life.

Unbelievable.

Clue: We're not talking about hardships (and I don't know many NBA players who have not had hardships in their lives)...we are talking about the ridiculously unreasonable NBA dress code. You are mixing apples and oranges.

[easjer]

I really don't GAF about their dress code or if they like it our not ... I just think it's funny that Camby needs more money to buy a jacket.

At least the league brass is being consistant. If they are going to put 3/4 naked girls on the floor to entertain all the men because that sells, then they can put the men in a suit for the woman....'cuz I'd buy anything from a man all dressed up and looking sharp.

[Marklar MM]

Anyone watch the skit about Camby on Best Damn. Hehe. They show his closet...appears to be two shelves high, with about 4 feet between shelves, and its a walk in closet, full of clothes. They also mention he makes 9 million a year. For only $5000 a day, you can sponsor him.

[Clutch20]

Stern's dress code has nothing to do with the game of basketball. Let's clarify this issue and analyze it for what it truly stands for. On one hand your boys have all they need to be competive in the league, your team is focused on the game and making a great effort to win. On the other hand, fans are either at the game or at home and they're mostly focused on the game. Whothe is looking to see what is wearing what?
How do you dress up when you're traveling to and arriving at your destination? Would you take off your comfies to change to formal evening wear? Player's live in an unreal world as it is, how much more surrealistic do you want to make it by making them dress in suits?

How well would suits protect our Northern teams from those icy blasts of winter weather?

How many rings of sweat stains can be produced on those dress shirts, huh?

Don't get me wrong, I play in an entertainment group and this weekend and for many other engagements we wear tuxes. Alot. Often. But please don't make my heroes dress like me. Playing music is not at all like playing basketball.

And anyways, just think how silly and out of place it will look!

Really.

[Marcus Bryant]

Stern's plan is working perfectly. NBA players are responding like you would expect wealthy young black men to do.

[dbreiden83080]

Unbelievable.

Clue: We're not talking about hardships (and I don't know many NBA players who have not had hardships in their lives)...we are talking about the ridiculously unreasonable NBA dress code. You are mixing apples and oranges.

Jesus Christ you talk like you feel sorry for these guys that they are being told to put on a decent pair of pants for god's sake. Would you blow off a big job interview because you deemed having to wear a suit as ridiculous and unwarranted.

[SpursWoman]

Would you blow off a big job interview because you deemed having to wear a suit as ridiculous and unwarranted.

Or show up in a throwback and his pants around the bottom of his ass and wonder why he never got called back.

[Marcus Bryant]

Probably not the best analogy, but this is like complaining about what clothes a porn star has on in the first minute of the film. Who pays attention to that?

[Spurminator]

Or show up in a throwback and his pants around the bottom of his ass and wonder why he never got called back.

I'll bet if a team was trying to woo LeBron James during Free Agency and he showed up wearing a throwback jersey and sneakers, they wouldn't blink.

[cheguevara]

Would you blow off a big job interview because you deemed having to wear a suit as ridiculous and unwarranted.

If you were a CEO would you blow off a job candidate that is a genius and surely will make your company millions, except, he's wearing jeans and sneakers?