NBA Dress Code: Good enough? Over the Line? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 10-20-2005, 04:00 PM

From the nba.com

Quote:

NBA Player Dress Code

1. General Policy: Business Casual
Players are required to wear Business Casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business.

"Business Casual" attire means

A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater.
Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans.
Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.

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Kevin Garnett has always looked good in suit and tie.
Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty
2. Exceptions to Business Casual

There are the following exceptions to the general policy of Business Casual attire:

a. Players In Attendance At Games But Not In Uniform

Players who are in attendance at games but not in uniform are required to wear the following additional items when seated on the bench or in the stands during the game:

Sport Coat
Dress shoes or boots, and socks
b. Players Leaving the Arena

Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.

c. Special Events or Appearances

Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate -- e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.

3. Excluded Items

The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time while on team or league business:

Sleeveless shirts
Shorts
T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team-identified, and approved by the team)
Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for the event or appearance, team-identified, and approved by the team)
Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes
Sunglasses while indoors
Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room)

There are several articles out there about the NBA banning the bling. Quick bytes made me think that there is some sore ot media spin towards racism. In my opinion I thought it was nice when in High School I noticed it was game day based on the fact that the kids participating dressed up in a coat and tie. (We already had to wear a collared shirt, slacks, and dress shoes.)

Since most kids are looking up to these unwanting role models, I believe it's part of the territory to try to be a good example.

Temporary_User · 10-20-2005, 04:20 PM

I don't think it is a bad thing, it is a buisiness.
when I was 15 our hockey coach decided we were old enough and forced us to wear shirts and ties to our games. I didn't like it, but we all did it, because we didnt want to be kicked off the team.
There is always someone else out there willing to do what you won't to get your spot.

Aladdin Sane · 10-20-2005, 04:23 PM

Racism my ass. These people are being paid millions and live better than 99.89% of the people in the world. If I wanna work for a company, they get to choose what I wear when I'm on company business. I don't like it, I can hit the road. It may suck, but it's the way it is. Racism? Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha!

Grasshopper Green · 10-20-2005, 04:36 PM

I think this is a good thing. Maybe it will help bring some class back to a sport that I think has been severely lacking in the past several years.

JumpinJesus · 10-20-2005, 04:48 PM

I've never really been a fan of basketball, so it really doesn't affect me either way.

snowy · 10-20-2005, 04:54 PM

Maybe this will bring back the "professional" in professional athlete.

One could only hope.

ObieX · 10-20-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aladdin Sane

Racism my ass. These people are being paid millions and live better than 99.89% of the people in the world. If I wanna work for a company, they get to choose what I wear when I'm on company business. I don't like it, I can hit the road. It may suck, but it's the way it is. Racism? Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha!

Pretty much my feelings here. Plenty of jobs have dress codes, some stricter than others. Hell, even BurgerKing has a strict dress code.

If the players don't like it tough cookies, you don't have to work there and make millions of dollars. Most people would do terrible things to get the amount of money these guys make... I'm sure they could coat themselves in gold outside of work as far as the league/team is concerned, if they want.. but when you're on the job you dress the way you're told. If you they don't like it the exits are clearly marked.

powerclown · 10-20-2005, 06:35 PM

Ahh...the game within the Game.

I'm with the "Dress Professional" crowd. Some of the responses from the players are hilarious. The point some of the players make that noone sees them off the court doesn't fly. During the playoffs particularly, the cameras are always following them around before and after games. LeBron James' opinion in particular surprises me, very mature for such a young guy.

"I think it's a load of crap...I think it's basically retarded. "I don't like the direction they're going, but who am I?"
-- Tim Duncan

"I just think people should be able to express themselves....Who really cares about what they wear from the bus to the locker room?"
-- Vince Carter

"I thought it was funny they can't wear any of the jewelry and stuff like that. That's stricter than the dress code in a lot of office buildings."
-- Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy

"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

"The players have been dressing in prison garb the last five or six years. All the stuff that goes on, it's like gangster, thuggery stuff. It's time. It's been time to do that. But one must remember where one came from. I was wearing bib overalls when I was a player one time. But I wasn't going to the games or events in them.
-- Lakers head coach Phil Jackson

"I think they're coming on way too strict. Movie stars in L.A., they're not always in jackets and ties, and they're setting trends, and we're looked at in the same light."
-- Timberwolves forward Wally Szczerbiak

alansmithee · 10-20-2005, 07:08 PM

I think it's a bit silly. It seems athletes are held to a much higher standard than other entertainment stars are. I can see where the cries of racism are coming from, but I don't think that's the primary reason for the new code. The biggest problem is that the NBA has an image problem. And a large part of this is due to the fact that the people who primarily attend games and the sponsor's (namely, middle age white men) don't identify with the people playing the game (primarily young black men). So Stern overreached in trying to correct the problem. I think that some dress code would be acceptable, but much of what he is enforcing seems quite over-the-top.

maximusveritas · 10-20-2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansmithee

I think it's a bit silly. It seems athletes are held to a much higher standard than other entertainment stars are. I can see where the cries of racism are coming from, but I don't think that's the primary reason for the new code. The biggest problem is that the NBA has an image problem. And a large part of this is due to the fact that the people who primarily attend games and the sponsor's (namely, middle age white men) don't identify with the people playing the game (primarily young black men). So Stern overreached in trying to correct the problem. I think that some dress code would be acceptable, but much of what he is enforcing seems quite over-the-top.

Couldn't agree more. Some of the previous comments in this thread prove your point.

Destrox · 10-20-2005, 08:15 PM

I agree to a extent.

When you sign that contract you are now a employee of whatever team you signed onto. If they change dress code you will follow if you wish to keep your job.

Oh and if you wish to call racism on this, you really need to just stop. I am sick and tired of people looking miles and miles for somthing in the smallest thing to be racist and just make that center argument.

jorgelito · 10-20-2005, 08:32 PM

Well, wait a minute: let's hear it from the naysayers - Why do people think it's racist? I think it's nice to dress up for your job etc. And remember Michael Jordan? He was one snazzy dresser if I recall correctly. Also, I think Steve Francis has a mens formal wear line - looks like the perfect opportunity to promote his brand.

As far as dress code: I think it's good - "professionals" look too sloppy these days. I hope they will start pulling up their pants and removing their hats indoors too.

View Poll Results: NBA Dress code: right image?
yes	12	52.17%
no	2	8.70%
don't care	6	26.09%
don't even know why we're talking about this	3	13.04%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

10-20-2005, 04:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aladdin Sane Degenerate Location: San Marvelous	Racism my ass. These people are being paid millions and live better than 99.89% of the people in the world. If I wanna work for a company, they get to choose what I wear when I'm on company business. I don't like it, I can hit the road. It may suck, but it's the way it is. Racism? Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha! __________________ Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

10-20-2005, 04:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grasshopper Green ...is a comical chap Location: Where morons reign supreme	I think this is a good thing. Maybe it will help bring some class back to a sport that I think has been severely lacking in the past several years. __________________ "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king" Formerly Medusa

10-20-2005, 04:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	I've never really been a fan of basketball, so it really doesn't affect me either way. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

10-20-2005, 04:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	Maybe this will bring back the "professional" in professional athlete. One could only hope. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

10-20-2005, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Temporary_User Psycho	I don't think it is a bad thing, it is a buisiness. when I was 15 our hockey coach decided we were old enough and forced us to wear shirts and ties to our games. I didn't like it, but we all did it, because we didnt want to be kicked off the team. There is always someone else out there willing to do what you won't to get your spot.

10-20-2005, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Ahh...the game within the Game. I'm with the "Dress Professional" crowd. Some of the responses from the players are hilarious. The point some of the players make that noone sees them off the court doesn't fly. During the playoffs particularly, the cameras are always following them around before and after games. LeBron James' opinion in particular surprises me, very mature for such a young guy. "I think it's a load of crap...I think it's basically retarded. "I don't like the direction they're going, but who am I?" -- Tim Duncan "I just think people should be able to express themselves....Who really cares about what they wear from the bus to the locker room?" -- Vince Carter "I thought it was funny they can't wear any of the jewelry and stuff like that. That's stricter than the dress code in a lot of office buildings." -- Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy "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 "The players have been dressing in prison garb the last five or six years. All the stuff that goes on, it's like gangster, thuggery stuff. It's time. It's been time to do that. But one must remember where one came from. I was wearing bib overalls when I was a player one time. But I wasn't going to the games or events in them. -- Lakers head coach Phil Jackson "I think they're coming on way too strict. Movie stars in L.A., they're not always in jackets and ties, and they're setting trends, and we're looked at in the same light." -- Timberwolves forward Wally Szczerbiak

10-20-2005, 07:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	I think it's a bit silly. It seems athletes are held to a much higher standard than other entertainment stars are. I can see where the cries of racism are coming from, but I don't think that's the primary reason for the new code. The biggest problem is that the NBA has an image problem. And a large part of this is due to the fact that the people who primarily attend games and the sponsor's (namely, middle age white men) don't identify with the people playing the game (primarily young black men). So Stern overreached in trying to correct the problem. I think that some dress code would be acceptable, but much of what he is enforcing seems quite over-the-top.

10-20-2005, 08:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Destrox Metal and Rock 4 Life Location: Phoenix	I agree to a extent. When you sign that contract you are now a employee of whatever team you signed onto. If they change dress code you will follow if you wish to keep your job. Oh and if you wish to call racism on this, you really need to just stop. I am sick and tired of people looking miles and miles for somthing in the smallest thing to be racist and just make that center argument. __________________ You bore me.... next. Last edited by Destrox; 10-20-2005 at 08:18 PM..

10-20-2005, 08:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Well, wait a minute: let's hear it from the naysayers - Why do people think it's racist? I think it's nice to dress up for your job etc. And remember Michael Jordan? He was one snazzy dresser if I recall correctly. Also, I think Steve Francis has a mens formal wear line - looks like the perfect opportunity to promote his brand. As far as dress code: I think it's good - "professionals" look too sloppy these days. I hope they will start pulling up their pants and removing their hats indoors too.