[Cody Dawg]

Do you agree that the NBA's dress code is racially motivated or affects blacks and not whites?

Read here.

I really don't have an opinion other than to say that I think it's a little over the top, personally.

[rickey939]

Not. At. All.

[paul w]

They make insane amounts of money for doing what they love. It may be old fashioned, but hearing them complain the way they do I have little sympathy.

Besides, there are already plenty of dapper ballers, regardless of race. And some of the white players are pretty shabbily dressed as well.

And jeez, Stephen Jackson isn't exactly the guy you want defending the other side. Him going up in the stands like a crazy person had something to do with this new rule, btw.

[disgruntled goat]

Perhaps this is a start to getting some class back in the NBA like the good old days.

[nonhuman]

It's not an issue of race it's an issue of sub-culture. It's just that the particular sub-culture being repressed is predominantly black.

[rickey939]

It just means less "bling bling"...

[outsourced]

It isn't racial. But, here's Pierce's point: "The NBA is young black males."

That's why it *seems* like it's racial -- the majority is black. Hey, ya know what -- that's business. If you work for a living (and who doesn't) your employer probably has some kind of dress code. Hell, even some schools have dress codes.

Let's all grow up and quit biotching about racial BS. We're all human beings, aren't we?

Next thing ya know, someone is going to say that the hurricane that destroyed New Orleans is a white conspiracy to kill black people.

[Cody Dawg]

Next thing ya know, someone is going to say that the hurricane that destroyed New Orleans is a white conspiracy to kill black people.

They already did, didn't they? Like on Oprah or something? And didn't Kanye West say that too?

[exca1ibur]

Chris Broussard - Scoop Jackson explain it to the letter, l agree as well... Video

[exca1ibur]

Considering the actual 'business attire' is shorts, a jersey and tennis shoes' the dress code is a bit hypocritical. Ignoring racial issues dont make them go away. Thats why its always poping up to bite us all in the ass and cause a conflict. When we all learn to communicate better THEN the problem will go away, simple but SO difficult for most people as we see day in and day out.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

Ignoring racial issues dont make them go away. Thats why its always poping up to bite us all in the ass and cause a conflict.

No it's always popping up to bite us in the ass because people politicize their race in order to take advantage of it. Just because someone shafts a black person, doesn't mean they did it because that person was black (obviously it doesn't mean otherwise, either).

[paul w]

"Highly paid slaves"

Yeah, ok.

[exca1ibur]

It is biting them in the ass because now there is this big conflict going on in the league and media attention they didn't want, I'm sure. The whole issue whould have been addressed like any other issue they have had in the past. Why was there no dicussion between the players union and the league? This is an issue everyone should have gotten together and worked it out before their was a resolution. It was not, it was dictated from the top end with no input form anyone else it would affect.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

It is biting them in the ass because now there is this big conflict going on in the league and media attention they didn't want, I'm sure. The whole issue whould have been addressed like any other issue they have had in the past. Why was there no dicussion between the players union and the league? This is an issue everyone should have gotten together and worked it out before their was a resolution. It was not, it was dictated from the top end with no input form anyone else it would affect.

I thought you were talking about the general case...

In this particular instance I don't believe race is the issue, though obviously it's possible. However it's quite common for people to try and use their race, or religion, or whatever other thing they have that makes them 'different' as an excuse.

[TurboMac]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

It is biting them in the ass because now there is this big conflict going on in the league and media attention they didn't want, I'm sure. The whole issue whould have been addressed like any other issue they have had in the past. Why was there no dicussion between the players union and the league? This is an issue everyone should have gotten together and worked it out before their was a resolution. It was not, it was dictated from the top end with no input form anyone else it would affect.

Sounds like modern business to me!!! Do they ever ask the people who are actually doing the grunt work, how to make it better? No they form teams and have kiazan events. Its like the monkeys in the tree syndrome (no pun intended and no I am not racist) Looking down all you see is smiling faces, but looking up all you see is @ss holes.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by TurboMac

Sounds like modern business to me!!! Do they ever ask the people who are actually doing the grunt work, how to make it better? No they form teams and have kiazan events. Its like the monkeys in the tree syndrome (no pun intended and no I am not racist) Looking down all you see is smiling faces, but looking up all you see is @ss holes.

Yeah no doubt there, Turbo. I agree with you on that one. I just think that would have saved a lot of the conflicts had it been an internal board meeting to address the problem before it was presented.

[wallinbl]

How would you react if your employer (or anyone else) came out with a rule stating that your general appearance was undesirable and inappropriate? You wouldn't like it and you would say that it wasn't fair and that it was discriminatory. You'd complain.

I think the chains and the 42 carat earrings all look like crap and don't see why anyone wants to look like that, but I don't see where they should be told that they can't. It's pretty pathetic. I suppose that someone will say that dress codes are reasonable and you wouldn't like it if they were wearing some leather bondage getup, but I don't really care.

The real argument that the NBA can make is that they are an entertainment organization and as such, they need to be as appealing as possible. They may or may not make correct assessments of how to increase their appeal, but given that they generate their revenues from entertainment, they have a right to control appearances. I know that athletes don't like the idea that they are entertainment, but they're paid to put on a show the same way Britney Spears is.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

I thought you were talking about the general case...

In this particular instance I don't believe race is the issue, though obviously it's possible. However it's quite common for people to try and use their race, or religion, or whatever other thing they have that makes them 'different' as an excuse.

I agree with you on that one. I have seen it many times myself, and know people personally that have tried to do it.

[Randman]

A few years ago, when the NBA players were on strike, I covered the labor meetings in Vegas. 95% of the players wore suits or at least jackets to the meeting. The guys in warmups were almost all white European players.

Jordan was the star of the show and he dressed the part in a spiffy (and expensive) business suit.

Nothing wrong with having a dress code for business-related activities. Many teams already have dress code requirement for travel and also sitting on the bench when injured.

That said, the NBA would do better to ban teens from jumping from high school to the pros. An age requirement, like the NFL, would do wonders for the game itself as well as its current decline in image and global branding.

[exca1ibur]

I'm mixed on the age requirement thing. I agree for the imaging standpoint, but you can miss out some major talent. We'd have no Lebron, Bryant, or Garnett, at the same time we wouldn't get an Isiah Rider (A GREAT thing). A system to help them adjust to the pros would be ideal I think. Make the teams responsible for that, based on a league policy might work perhaps. I think its more a person by person decision of telling their maturity level when they are being scouted.

[DarwinX]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

I think its more a person by person decision of telling their maturity level when they are being scouted.

That's what they find out when the athlete is in college no?

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by DarwinX

That's what they find out when the athlete is in college no?

I was talking about for high-school to NBA players.

[DarwinX]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

I was talking about for high-school to NBA players.

I did catch that...I was trying more to express my agreement to say that there should be an age requirement to play in the NBA so that most kids get at least a year or two of college.

I wasn't trying to be a jerk either. I just feel this is a topic that should be debated and discussed with all points considered.

Just my two cents.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur

We'd have no Lebron, Bryant, or Garnett.

Yes, you would. Just a year or two later.

[DarwinX]

Originally Posted by Randman

Yes, you would. Just a year or two later.

Agreed.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by DarwinX

I did catch that...I was trying more to express my agreement to say that there should be an age requirement to play in the NBA so that most kids get at least a year or two of college.

I wasn't trying to be a jerk either. I just feel this is a topic that should be debated and discussed with all points considered.

Just my two cents.

I dont think you were being a jerk at all. Valid points there I agree. Just saying the situation is that should the teams wait a year or two. Another team gets that opportunity that they loose out on. So the situation isn't as cut and dry. Sure we as fans would get the player in the league no doubt at some point, just the teams scouting dont have that luxery, hence they take that risk of pulling in a kid who isn't 'mentally' ready. Thats the problem with why they draft straight out of high school so fast and not wait.

[Eriamjh]

At first I thought this was a big hassle for them, but then I realized they were getting paid a sh*tload of money for "playing a game". They can stick to the dresscode and shut up.

If my employer paid me $1 million a year, I'd wear a three-piece suit to bed!

[Rolling Bones]

Basketball has been very very bad for the black man.

Got to keep blackie down.

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

If my employer paid me $1 million a year, I'd wear a three-piece suit to bed!

I'd wear a dress to work!

and no panties!

[Weezer]

So, it's not what you wear, it's how you present yourself."

lol

[davesimondotcom]

How can a collar on your shirt and a pair of slacks be racist? Have you ever seen what Shaq wears to the games? Suits none of us could afford (considering the tailoring costs for a 7' man!)

When I played American Legion baseball, we were expected to wear at least jeans and a collared shirt, if not slacks. That's what the NBA is saying to these guys. That is not too much to ask for.

These players make huge sums of money, and where does that money come from? It doesn't come from ticket prices. It comes from the corporate sponsorships and such. Corporations would like to have a better image for the things they sponsor. If that means no rapists and collared shirts, I can't see how that would bother someone making $10 million/year.

Seriously, when I go to a business meeting, even in casual Bozeman, MT, I wear a collared shirt.

[deej5871]

The NBA doesn't care about black people.

[BigBadWolf]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

If my employer paid me $1 million a year, I'd wear a three-piece suit to bed!

Ahh, but the average salary in the NBA is $4M. So $1M is not enough for me.

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by BigBadWolf

Ahh, but the average salary in the NBA is $4M. So $1M is not enough for me.

Yeah, but he's a cheap 'ho like me.

[Railroader]

(I'll admit, I didn't read much of this thread other than the first few posts)

Here's my opinion: The person who pays the salary can set whatever dress code they want. A person wants to get paid, a person does what the employer wants. If you think the dress code is racist, go work somewhere else. Or become an employer and set your own dress code.

[Cubeoid]

Basketball by Curtis Blow

Chours:
They're playing Basketball
We love that Basketball
They're playing Basketball
We love that Basketball

(Now rapping Basketball Number 1 Kurtis Blow)
Basketball is my favorite sport
I like the way they dribble up and down the court
Just like I'm the King on the microphone so is Dr. J and Moses Malone
I like Slam dunks take me to the hoop
My favorite play is the alley oop
I like the pick-and-roll, I like the give-and-go,
Cause it's Basketball, uh, Mister Kurtis Blow,

Chours

I used to go to dinner, and then take the girl,
To see Tiny play against Earl The Pearl,
And Wilt, Big O, and Jerry West,
To play Basketball at it's very best,
Basketball has always been my thing,
I like Magic, Bird, and Bernard King,
And number 33, my man Kareem,
Is the center on my starting team,

(To the hoop, ya'll, Watch out, Watch out
In yo' face, now here comes the rest)

Clyde, Rick Barry, and Pistol Pete,
Now these players, could never be beat,
Isiah, and Iceman too,
Just give 'em the ball, and then you talk up too,
Dantley and Wilkins are on the scene,
And Ralph Sampson is really mean,
Bill Russell didn't take no junk,
and Darryl Dawkins got a monster dunk,
Tell me, were you in the joint?,
The night Wilt scored 100 points,
Or when Celtics won titles back-to-back,
And didn't give nobody, no kind of slack,
Or when Dr. J shook the whole damn team,
With moves that came right out of a dream,
Or when, Willis Reed stood so tall,
Playing D with desire, it's Basketball,

Chorus

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Cubeoid

Basketball by Curtis Blow

Chours:
They're playing Basketball
We love that Basketball ....

Chorus

I will admit, I was a HUGE Curtis Blow fan back in the day. I saw him in concert at the NYC Fresh Festival in Saginaw. MI back in 1985. One of my first concerts.

[Warung]

People who disagree with the dresscode should just stop playing basketball. The NBA would be broke within a matter of days.

/personally don't like "bling bling" or hip hop clothing
//dress the way I want, because I know more about stylish clothing than any employer I've ever had
///have gotten fired for wearing the "wrong clothes" (only in the US though, - figures)

[ReggieX]

Don't like wearing a suit? That's the breaks.

[wdlove]

There a private business and so have the right to impose such rules.

[Eriamjh]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

Yeah, but he's a cheap 'ho like me.

Damn right! Cheap enough, but not any cheaper!

[mojo2]

It's not any more racial than America has racial undercurrents of all kinds and mostly we try to deny it.

It's a marketing move which will enable the owners and the league to make more money on ticket sales and licensed merchandise which will enable the players to keep asking for AND KEEP GETTING bigger contracts.

The money has to come from somewhere.

Oh, and for those who haven't made the connection, here it is...

Many white people resent spending money when they know it only helps perpetuate "a bunch of vulgar, undignified looking group of black guys with their hair and jewelry and talk and swagger and music and fighting and tatts and pimped out cars and what's more, they are adversely influencing OUR children."

Commissioner Stern wants everyone to make more money and be happy.

If the young players aren't going to change their values or any of the other things that the average middle American might not feel so warm and fuzzy about, AT LEAST looking "respectable" can help the image of someone who doesn't pay TOO close attention, they might think, "Oh, well, they look nice and tidy. Alright Jarrod, yes you can get a Ron Artest brass knuckle set."

Yes. It IS racial. But that's not a BAD thing. Just a thing.

Get over it, all of us.

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally Posted by Cubeoid

Basketball by Curtis Blow

Chours:
They're playing Basketball
We love that Basketball
They're playing Basketball
We love that Basketball

(Now rapping Basketball Number 1 Kurtis Blow)
Basketball is my favorite sport
I like the way they dribble up and down the court
Just like I'm the King on the microphone so is Dr. J and Moses Malone
I like Slam dunks take me to the hoop
My favorite play is the alley oop
I like the pick-and-roll, I like the give-and-go,
Cause it's Basketball, uh, Mister Kurtis Blow,

Chours

I used to go to dinner, and then take the girl,
To see Tiny play against Earl The Pearl,
And Wilt, Big O, and Jerry West,
To play Basketball at it's very best,
Basketball has always been my thing,
I like Magic, Bird, and Bernard King,
And number 33, my man Kareem,
Is the center on my starting team,

(To the hoop, ya'll, Watch out, Watch out
In yo' face, now here comes the rest)

Clyde, Rick Barry, and Pistol Pete,
Now these players, could never be beat,
Isiah, and Iceman too,
Just give 'em the ball, and then you talk up too,
Dantley and Wilkins are on the scene,
And Ralph Sampson is really mean,
Bill Russell didn't take no junk,
and Darryl Dawkins got a monster dunk,
Tell me, were you in the joint?,
The night Wilt scored 100 points,
Or when Celtics won titles back-to-back,
And didn't give nobody, no kind of slack,
Or when Dr. J shook the whole damn team,
With moves that came right out of a dream,
Or when, Willis Reed stood so tall,
Playing D with desire, it's Basketball,

Chorus

G. LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE LYRICS - Shootin Hoops


When the school lets out and the shifts are done
Get the boys together get a ball get a run
Lace up the sneaks kick off them shoes
I'll admit i play to win yo cause i don't like to lose
At seger park they've got the best competition
Good moves baby - i'm the definition

They shooting hoops
Yeah yeah yeah
They playing basketball

I learned at old pine, see i'm the school yard hustler
I had my hardknocks now i'm an off the backboard buster
I could fake to the left penetrate like mike
Or 360 in the air as dominique might
I could pass like magic
I could shoot like the bird, after a doctor j dunk
The courtside drunk said good lord

They shooting hoops
Yeah yeah yeah
They playing basketball

Lunch from a hot dog stand a pretzel and a pop
We've been playing all day cause we've had this court non stop
The city sun is hot - all the courts they steaming
Bright eyed yong ball handlers are believing and dreaming
Hoping some day all this playing will be paying
That's what all the sideline junkies smoking reefer keep saying

They shooting hoops
Yeah yeah yeah
They playing basketball

[spatterson]

The whole thing is anti-thugary, not anti-racial...

Those players are employed, and should be held to higher standards. They are not on the playground, its their job.