New NBA Dress Code

[Charade]

Definitely no flames from me...I agree 100%. This rule smacks of old men making rules for a new generation that they do not/refuse to understand...shades of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show where they censored any movement below his waist in fear that kids would run wild in the streets at the sight.

Their team, their rules. Don't like it? Find another job.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Must resist the urge .............................................................

I will only say this...I come from the culture that many of the NBA players do, and I can see why they dressed the way they did.

The league sure didn't mind making money off selling there players, but now that they have there agreement and the fans they need to make a change?????

They are going to be losing major fan points. Most of you may disagree, but if you lived the way I or many of the players have when growing up then you can see how and why they dressed the way they do.

Hell the all-star game was in denver here this past year...the funnest time ever, but you didn't see any country parties, or rock bands playing at the festivities. How funny the NBA had no problems making money off of that before, but now it's a problem. Back to a second rate sport in less than 2 years watch.

I don't want any arguements or anything, but unitl you know how they grew up and what they stand for you can't understand why they do what they do.

Jeans and a polo no problems with that, even suit and tie...still I have no probs with that either....but NO CHAINS OR JEWELRY????

So to represent a company/team/league you have to all dress the same and act the same???? If that was the case I would never have a job.

I work in a "business casual" enviorment but I also have tattoo's, piercings (yes 3 of them) in my lip, listen to hard rap music...and you know what I GET MY JOB DONE. The way you do your work is what reprsents you, not the way you look, act dress, etc....

close minded people are the only ones who judge off of that!!!!!!!


My flame suit is on

It doesn't bother me one bit to see players dress the way they do. However I have no problem with the new policy.

So many jobs require uniforms, and if you don't want to wear them, then you get fired. People in these jobs often make less than $10 an hour.

Then we have people making tens of millions of dollars a year who are having major problems with a relaxed dress code.

Give me a break.

David Stern has a responsibility to follow the wishes of his corporate partners. If they are not happy with something, he would be a fool not to change it.

The average fan doesn't care one way or the other, but if the companies buying the MEGA DOLLAR tickets care, then they should change.

If you think this is bad, then what do you think of say a movie theatre requiring their workers to wear an ugly vest?

 

[accabonac]

(Shrugs)

I have to wear a crappy uniform to work, and I make way less than they do!

I think they will look nice!

 

[foolishmortal]

Don't quite understand this. I thought the major draw to a team was the way they played, not the way they looked off court.



I'm confused. You say wouldn't have a job if you had to dress like a company wanted but you get your job done dressed the way you stated.

Couldn't you do your job dressed a little more conservatively?

Are you saying that the players are going to now stink because they can't wear their bling while on company time?

If you think the major draw to the NBA is the way the teams play...wow, I am sorry you don't understand the main fan base of the NBA!!! Maybe you should read up a little onto the urban/rap/nba lifestyle. If the kids don't see someone much like themself on the court (and off) then how are they going to relate to it. Why do you think Hockey/soccer/lacrosse doesn't have a bigger "urban" fanbase...they don't relate to the players.

Lets look at some of the best selling team appearal. Knicks, Sixers, Cavs, Lakers....wow those were some great teams last year weren't they?

Now about my apperence and my job...could I do it more conservativly...sure I can, but you missed my point. People look at they way someone dresses/acts before they look at performance of work. If you think I should get my work done the same regardless of having my piercings visible or not then what does "business casual" matter???? I get the job done...my work knows and understands this so I get to show my true self as long as I get my job done.

Maybe the companies were the ones forcing a change from Stern....but you know what, what will happen when the ratings drop off?

I think it is really funny how you don't think it will make a difference, but why do you think he waited until after and agreement and the big bucks have been pouring in to make the change?

 

[cardaway]

Definitely no flames from me...I agree 100%. This rule smacks of old men making rules for a new generation that they do not/refuse to understand...shades of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show where they censored any movement below his waist in fear that kids would run wild in the streets at the sight.

As I said in my first post, the only thing that bothers me is how little else will change. If this is all about improving the image of the league they had better clean up the same image in all aspects of the game.

They're going to lose all the gained respect real fast if the whole league continues to center around the image the dress code supposedly is taking away. But I'm still for the change, but I am waiting to see how the rest goes down. And if the Sonics can take it to the next level this year. Go Ray-Ray.

 

[DawnCt1]

Kudos to Lebron James:

"No it's not a big deal, not to me. Sometimes you feel lazy and you don't feel like putting some clothes on, but this is a job. We are going to have fun, but this is a job and we should look like we're going to work, that's the way they feel."
-- Cavs swingman LeBron James, quoted in the Oct. 19 Cleveland Plain Dealer

Good for him. And a well paid job I might add!

 

[caitycaity]

I think it's a good idea too. I mean why not?? A lot of companies have dress codes or even uniforms and grooming codes. And wouldn't you have to say the players are at work? As far as going to and from the games, again I say it's a good idea to look professional while representing your company.

i agree.

 

[lyeag]

Their team, their rules. Don't like it? Find another job.

ITA


I came from the midwest, lots of farms, I don't wear overalls. They can "relate" to their fan base plenty of other ways and on their own time.

They get paid very well to do a job they love. I think putting on nice clothes to represent their organization and provide a professional appearance is a good thing.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I had to laugh when I saw a quote from a couple players saying if they're now expected to follow a dress code that they should receive a clothing stipend to make up for the new clothes they were going to have to buy.

It's not like dress codes are a new thing for professional sports -- MLB is the only one now without a league-wise policy, and for the most part, MLB teams themselves have a dress code policy anyways. For cripes sakes, toss on a blazer when you get to your hotel and dress nicely when you're injured and on the bench -- that's all Stern's asking for.

 

[grinningghost]

Yep! My Ds 11 is on a hockey team...his coach only requires them to wear the team warmup suit with a polo shirt.......many of the teams as they get older require shirts and tie...

My DD's boyfriend has played travel hockey since he was little, and his coaches require shirts & ties when off the ice. I not only think they look very nice, but it also changes their demeanor from rowdy boys to respectful gentleman. What could possibly be wrong with that?

 

[phisigprincess]

If they get a clothing stipend to buy their new clothes, I think I might demand one from my company.... lol!

 

[grinningghost]

If they get a clothing stipend to buy their new clothes, I think I might demand one from my company.... lol!

If they get a clothing stipend, I think the world has finally hit rock bottom.

 

[robinb]

I think there is a huge racial element to this dress code. My guess is that the White Middle-Class fan base of Basketball was offended by the previous dress of the primarily black players. They would prefer to see their favorite players look like "Nice Young Men" in Business Casual instead of "Scary Young Hoodlems" in Hip-Hop Casual.

I am not surprised that the primarily white middle-class DIS agrees with them!

As for me, I don't care what they wear. They can look like a rapper wanna-be or an Appprentice wanna-be. It should be their choice as I don't think it effects their pay on the court.

 

[foolishmortal]

I think there is a huge racial element to this dress code. My guess is that the White Middle-Class fan base of Basketball was offended by the previous dress of the primarily black players. They would prefer to see their favorite players look like "Nice Young Men" in Business Casual instead of "Scary Young Hoodlems" in Hip-Hop Casual.

I am not surprised that the primarily white middle-class DIS agrees with them!

As for me, I don't care what they wear. They can look like a rapper wanna-be or an Appprentice wanna-be. It should be their choice as I don't think it effects their pay on the court.

Couldn't have said it better myslef, but didn't want to go the race card for fear of being called racist myself.

Like I have said from my original post in this thread, unless you know where the players are coming from and how they grew up and also what they represent you cannot understand it.

Now the poster that posted what Lebron said....ok that's all good and well, but did you know that Lebron didn't grow up on the streets and hasn't had the life that alot of the other nba players did. He was always in a good home, good school, and the limelight on him since he was younger. Heck he went to a school with a dress code so for him it's nothing hew.

 

[lyeag]

Couldn't have said it better myslef, but didn't want to go the race card for fear of being called racist myself.

Like I have said from my original post in this thread, unless you know where the players are coming from and how they grew up and also what they represent you cannot understand it.

Now the poster that posted what Lebron said....ok that's all good and well, but did you know that Lebron didn't grow up on the streets and hasn't had the life that alot of the other nba players did. He was always in a good home, good school, and the limelight on him since he was younger. Heck he went to a school with a dress code so for him it's nothing hew.

So they want to represent their humble roots? Their poverty? Their harsh upbringing? I don't think wearing all that bling represents true poverty do you? Designer rap wear doesn't represent poverty either. What do you think they represent? I mean really, people who can afford those things in the urban poor areas you are talking about are doing illegal things for the most part right? So what is the image they are trying to represent, and why is it a good image for our youth?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Now the poster that posted what Lebron said....ok that's all good and well, but did you know that Lebron didn't grow up on the streets and hasn't had the life that alot of the other nba players did. He was always in a good home, good school, and the limelight on him since he was younger. Heck he went to a school with a dress code so for him it's nothing hew.

He may have gone to a Catholic school with a uniform, but we're not talking about someone who grew up in a "good home". His mom was an single teenage mom and his dad was in prison. He grew up in what was essentially the projects.

For me, it's not about race. I'd think the same thing if we were talking about the NHL. But since I am a middle class white guy, I guess my opinion must be biased.

 

[robinb]

For me, it's not about race. I'd think the same thing if we were talking about the NHL.

What would an NHL dress code be? Dentures?

 

[lyeag]

What would an NHL dress code be? Dentures?

 

[puffkin]

I don't see this as a racial thing at all.....

I don't see why expecting "employees" to dress in a professional has anything to do with racial/cultural/ethnic/urban anything. The NBA is the boss, the players are the employees, and they are implementing a uniform dress code. The NBA is a corporation and if the players don't like it, tough! Get another job. They can express themselves in whatever clothes they want on their personal time.

I think that this is the leagues way of curbing the rampant endorsement deals and such that many of these players are getting from various companies that want them to wear their clothes. They are bringing the focus more to the game and less to the hoopla surrounding the game.

 

[cardaway]

For me, it's not about race. I'd think the same thing if we were talking about the NHL. But since I am a middle class white guy, I guess my opinion must be biased.

Agreed. With the recent explosion of players coming from Europe, it's not really about race in the NBA either. Many of the young great players having to change the way they dress are white. The Sonics' Vlade is notorious for showing up like he just got out of bed.