NBA Dress Code

[CC97]

A dress code at work is all about looking professional... let's be honest, if you're trying to impress a client, wearing a suit and tie -- or business casual (polo shirt, no jeans) -- will do the job a lot better than t-shirt, jean shorts, and flip flops.

And having that opinion doesn't make me a racist.

[slapshot]

I've seen various "dress codes" for players in the AHL. Most players who are scratched for that night's game will sit in the stands or private boxes in suits and ties. Few who wear suits go without ties.

I've also seen players wearing warmup suits (they look like track suits) with the team logo on them. Those may be players who were late scratches, or due to an injury making it difficult to wear anything but casual clothing.

I see nothing wrong with the dress codes. As long as a player is in the bench area, representing himself as an employee of said team, I think they should dress accordingly. Suits might be a bit much, and I think business casual attire is fine, as long as the players don't look sloppy.

[jkrdevil]

I don't see the big deal in this. Most companies have Dress codes and other major professional leagues also have dress codes. I know the NHL has had a strict dress code for years (At least over decade). To wear if they were not on the ice the have to be in a suits if they are around fans in a official way. I believe baseball also has a dress code.

baseball leaves it up to the teams, aside from players and managers having to be in team gear for postgame interviews. as one of the articles I've read on this mentioned, MLB doesn't really see the need for a leaguewide dress code like the NBA's new one...the NFL does have one, though the language is somewhat nebulous to me.

shoot, I would have just left it to the individual teams, but that's just me.

I wasn't sure about baseball. I just assumed because when ever they have shown a player entering the stadium they are usally dressed in a suit or some type Buisness clothing.

If no one has noticed by now, I am Black.

I always thought you were a shade of Light blue.

[SEMOSTLfan]

ya know what? David stern is the boss, he makes the rules live by them and get over it. Period.

[Saintsfan]

I think the NBA may have handled this a little indiscretely. They could have just pointed out what the approved list was and not pointed out what players were not allowed to wear.

But in general, who cares? Really why should the players complain, and if they wanna complain, my answer?? Go look at your pay packet Mr. Iverson.

[worst. jersey. ever.]

the dress code is not in the least bit racist, and anyone who thinks so is just trying to stir up racial conflict. from where I live, the white people dress just as "black" as the black people. and I know plenty of black people who prefer not to wear shirts that go down to their knees and chains the size of paperweights. once again, it goes back to the issue of the workplace: playing BASKETBALL, a child's GAME, for a LIVING, they should be thanking god every single day that they get to make 100 times more money than I'll ever see in my life for playing a GAME. they should accept the fact the league wants them to look more professional- which frankly, their current garb is not. they're rich, spoiled, babies. period.

[yh]

One thought that I had regarding one possible motivation for this dress code is that the league may be trying to limit the exposure that certain companies would receive on NBA telecasts and other visual representations of NBA games (i.e. game photos that appear in the print media). And when I say "certain companies" I mean companies that do not have sponsorship agreements with the NBA, the NBA teams or the facilities hosting the NBA games. If clothing bearing these companies' names, logos, other identifying features/marks are banned from NBA sidelines and other areas where NBA players are often photographed in conjunction with games, it might force those companies to consider licensing, signage or some other means of getting exposure in exchange for compensation.

Sure, there could certainly be an "image" aspect to this new policy, however the business side of me sees a certain profit motive brewing beneath the surface as well.

[infrared41]

Ignore this. My bad. Let me try it again.

[infrared41]

Look at yourself spouting the "company" line. Now take a look at why you feel the way you do about it. Is it really about "looking professional" or is it more about maintaining order? If there were no dress codes how would we know who is in charge?

It's more about wanting to stay employed than anything else, bro....that whole having money so I can pay bills, maintain my car, and keep a fluffing roof over my head wins out 11 times out of 10...therefore, I'll be more than happy to toe the line as long as the pay is good. If it's a form of control, so be it...but I think I can live with a dress code if the alternative is wearing whatever the heck I want, but living in a refrigerator box down by the river.

I wasn't knocking your decision to toe the line at all. We all do it. I was trying to point out how much societal order is ingrained in us from the time we are old enough to understand it. Again, I am not saying there is some diabolical plan to control us through what we wear. I was just making an observation.

I own a video production company. I am the boss, face of the company etc. Technically I can wear whatever I want and I do when I am not in public representing the company. But I'm no fool either. If I am meeting with a client you better believe I am "donning the uniform" for that meeting. It's simply part of how our society works. I don't like dress codes but that's simply because I hate wearing a suit.

Now I would like to reply to a few different posts on the issue of whether or not the NBA dress code is racist. Dress codes are not inherently racist. What makes the NBA code look racist is the way they addressed it. To avoid the race issue simply change the approach. It was simple. Suits and dress shirts must be worn when on the sidelines and for any team and NBA business. Instead the NBA decided to inform players what they are not allowed to wear...Medallions, Work Boots, etc.

With that in mind, am I the only white guy on this board trying to see how that would come across to a black player? It's all perspective folks. Maybe if I put it in terms we can relate to it might be a little easier to understand.

Let's say that we as white guys are playing in a sports league in an African nation that dresses in traditional African garb. The league is owned and operated by black people, the fans are mostly black, but the white guys make up 85% of the leagues players. One season the league decides to institute a dress code to "clean up it's image." The dress code specifically states that players will no longer be allowed to wear dockers, golf shirts and deck shoes at league functions or while on league business. Now keep in mind we are playing in a culture where traditional African garb is the norm. So who would we think they are aiming at with their dress code? Not the African people. It sure looks like the league doesn't want us wearing what is common to our culture. That's why the NBA dress code comes across as racist.

Just my 2 cents. After all it wouldn't be much of a forum if we all agreed now would it?

[HatCityEnforcer]

Look at yourself spouting the "company" line. Now take a look at why you feel the way you do about it. Is it really about "looking professional" or is it more about maintaining order? If there were no dress codes how would we know who is in charge?

It's more about wanting to stay employed than anything else, bro....that whole having money so I can pay bills, maintain my car, and keep a fluffing roof over my head wins out 11 times out of 10...therefore, I'll be more than happy to toe the line as long as the pay is good. If it's a form of control, so be it...but I think I can live with a dress code if the alternative is wearing whatever the heck I want, but living in a refrigerator box down by the river.

I wasn't knocking your decision to toe the line at all. We all do it. I was trying to point out how much societal order is ingrained in us from the time we are old enough to understand it. Again, I am not saying there is some diabolical plan to control us through what we wear. I was just making an observation.

I own a video production company. I am the boss, face of the company etc. Technically I can wear whatever I want and I do when I am not in public representing the company. But I'm no fool either. If I am meeting with a client you better believe I am "donning the uniform" for that meeting. It's simply part of how our society works. I don't like dress codes but that's simply because I hate wearing a suit.

Now I would like to reply to a few different posts on the issue of whether or not the NBA dress code is racist. Dress codes are not inherently racist. What makes the NBA code look racist is the way they addressed it. To avoid the race issue simply change the approach. It was simple. Suits and dress shirts must be worn when on the sidelines and for any team and NBA business. Instead the NBA decided to inform players what they are not allowed to wear...Medallions, Work Boots, etc.

With that in mind, am I the only white guy on this board trying to see how that would come across to a black player? It's all perspective folks. Maybe if I put it in terms we can relate to it might be a little easier to understand.

Let's say that we as white guys are playing in a sports league in an African nation that dresses in traditional African garb. The league is owned and operated by black people, the fans are mostly black, but the white guys make up 85% of the leagues players. One season the league decides to institute a dress code to "clean up it's image." The dress code specifically states that players will no longer be allowed to wear dockers, golf shirts and deck shoes at league functions or while on league business. Now keep in mind we are playing in a culture where traditional African garb is the norm. So who would we think they are aiming at with their dress code? Not the African people. It sure looks like the league doesn't want us wearing what is common to our culture. That's why the NBA dress code comes across as racist.

Just my 2 cents. After all it wouldn't be much of a forum if we all agreed now would it?

I think maybe it's just the old-fashioned thinking I have that I kinda expect the guys that do this sort of stuff for a living, oh I dunno, maybe just act the part of being a pro. Somehow, I don't seem to recall Magic, Kareem, or MJ dressing down like some of the guys do after games...maybe I just have hardwired into my head that I kind of expect a pro to act and dress a certain way, no matter what level it's on...

I do see your point you're making here....even though I think it's a bit of an over-reaction on the parts of the players to this..(to be honest, greg brought this up earlier...they had AMPLE opportunity to knock this out of the current CBA, but didn't). The thing with the new dress code banning the medallions is a bit overboard, IMO. Personally, I don't see how the ol' "bling bling" detracts too much (reference point: Draft Night).

[gosioux76]

Common logic dictates that dressing professionally breeds success. At least more so than dressing casually.

That's hard to question.

But does it make it right?

I don't oppose this dress code for the NBA, especially considering how the league seems to have been branded as a band of thugs.

Nontheless, dress codes are a sensitive subject with me.

It's engrained in our culture that a suit and tie, for example, is professional and helps earn respect.

But purists like myself -- someone who hates neckties and suits -- would rather be judged on performance rather than attire.

In a perfect world, that would be the case.

Too bad it's not perfect.

[winters in buffalo]

Well... I don't care what they have players wearing.

They're still not getting my money.

[Cyclopsis Joe]

ya know what? David stern is the boss, he makes the rules live by them and get over it. Period.

Exactly.

If they don't want to follow the boss's rules, then they can get a new job.

[NJTank]

As I stated earlier try to get a good job in the real world and dress like a slop with a T shirt and your hat backwards, there is nothing unreasonable about any employer asking their employees to look resentable when coming to work, and tahts all this is about.

[DEAD!]

The change in NBA dress code doesn't really bother me. It's the NFL dress code that bothers me. The NFL should allow their coaches to wear a suit and tie if they want....

[NJTank]

I agree, I cant imagine Tom Landry without a suit, and if there was no problem then there shoudl be none now.

[FiddySicks]

I don't see the big deal in this. Most companies have Dress codes and other major professional leagues also have dress codes. I know the NHL has had a strict dress code for years (At least over decade). To wear if they were not on the ice the have to be in a suits if they are around fans in a official way. I believe baseball also has a dress code.

baseball leaves it up to the teams, aside from players and managers having to be in team gear for postgame interviews. as one of the articles I've read on this mentioned, MLB doesn't really see the need for a leaguewide dress code like the NBA's new one...the NFL does have one, though the language is somewhat nebulous to me.

shoot, I would have just left it to the individual teams, but that's just me.

I wasn't sure about baseball. I just assumed because when ever they have shown a player entering the stadium they are usally dressed in a suit or some type Buisness clothing.

If no one has noticed by now, I am Black.

I always thought you were a shade of Light blue.

If no one has noticed by now, I am Black.

I always thought you were a shade of Light blue.

?

[VitaminD]

This is all much ado about nothing.

First and foremost, the NBA is a private corporation. Playing NBA basketball is not a birthright for any of us, and there is no law on our books saying that any certain individual is owed a job with this corporation. These guys are being paid a king's ransom to play a child's game. This sport gives these guys a chance at the good life, and unlimited perks and exposure that translates into fame AND fortune. Is throwing on a coat to spiff up the image of the people who pay you too much to ask?

I'm still a 20-something (for another month, anyway), and I'd love to pad around in flip-flops and jerseys. But I'd be tossed out of my hospital, and none of my patients would talk to me. So I put on the jacket and tie, shave every day and keep my hair cut. It's part of the role I play for the life I want to lead.

Indirectly, this is another problem with the NBA, both on and off the court: the stultifying sense of immaturity and entitlement these boys in men's bodies bring with them to the Association. From the time these kids first dribbled a ball, someone's been in their ear, hyping them up. They've never been told "You MUST do this" or "No, you CANNOT have that". Everything they want is afforded them by people who want to be remembered when their guy makes the big time. And no matter how brilliant their physical gifts are, no one showed them how to grow up and be responsible. They've been working on their meal ticket all their young lives, but no one taught them to mature and be responsible. Their games are raw, and their maturity level is behind their peers'.

It's one reason my sadness at watching Marvin Williams leave Chapel Hill after one season was tempered by the fact he wore a suit to his interviews with NBA teams. Here was a teenager that was a consensus Top 3 pick, and yet he took none of it for granted. He presented himself like a young man applying for a competitive, lucrative job. He exuded a presence and maturity that made him that much more attractive to teams seeking his talents. His family deserves a world of credit for raising their child the right way.

[JPBlueHen]

I don't see how this is a racist thing at all. I don't have a problem with the way NBA players dress off the court, but if a dress code is enforced I feel they should abide by those rules just like every other working American who has a dress code at their place of work. I see white people all over my campus wearing what the NBA considers hip-hop clothing and not business appropriate. However, there are other ways of dressing other than hip-hop fashion that I would also consider non-business attire. If I were David Stern, I would be just as harsh with someone wearing punk-style clothing (by that I mean green hair, facial piercings, tattoos all over their body, leather jackets with the metal spikes coming out, etc.). Also, isn't the NBA Player's Association President black? He in fact was the man who agreed to this new rule in the recent collective bargaining agreement.

[smzimbabwe]

I can't exactly show up to work wearing a throwback jersey and a pair of jeans....it'd be nice to do something like that b/c it's rather comfy, but I can't.  I mean I could, but then I'd be looking for a new job.

Where I work we have a few hockey fans, so during hockey season instead of "Casual Friday", we have "Hockey Jersey Friday". Every Friday we're wearing our jerseys and jeans and helping out clients, most of whom think it's great and who have fun trying to guess some of the more obscure jerseys...