NBA Dress Code: "No Gangstas"


David Stern, the NBA Commissioner, is making moves to supposedly “clean up” the NBA’s image by restricting styles and trends that can be construed as being “gangsta” (i.e. wave caps, jerseys, dangling necklaces, etc.). This look is the latest panache that has been embraced largely by the Hip-Hop community. But is Mr. Stern really trying to insure that the NBA’s image remains unsullied, or is this merely an attack on a sub-culture that happens to express itself – at this time - through a style called “gangsta”?

If Mr. Stern were really concerned about dissolving the gangster image, he would need to look past the Reeboks, Nikes, and Adidas, and look towards the Boss’, Armani’s, and Gucci’s; because last I recalled, gangsters wore suits; some of which have become the role models for the so-called “gangstas” (i.e. Scarface, Gotti, etc.). Now who’s a bigger threat, G-Unit or Enron Execs??? One may steal your wallet, but the other will steal your 401K! Now THAT’S gangsta!!! And what’s worse; Dead Prez talking about Bush, or a deadly president name Bush? And Halle Berry in BAP’s is not nearly as threatening as Haliburton in Iraq!!!! I think that you get the picture.

While the likelihood of an NBA dress code seems imminent, a question that ironically looms in the distance is, “What difference will it – or does it - make?” Your average 76ers fan isn’t a fan because of Allen Iverson’s impeccable ability to coordinate his high-tops with his doo-rags. Nor are Lebron James fans astounded by his fashion suave faire. And even if they were, fashion trends change almost as often as the gas prices. What Mr. Stern is recommending as the “accepted styles of dress” could quite easily become the “new gangsta” flair; trading fitted caps for fedoras, throwbacks for ascots, shell-toes for wing-tips, and handcuffs for cuff links. At the end of the day, it’s not the suit that makes the man, but rather, the man that makes the suit.

While I champion the implementation of “some” standards as it relates to dress, none should be so stringent as to quell the personal expression of the individual; particularly if it doesn’t interfere with their ability to perform their skill/job well. Some companies enforce dress codes so strict that a “9 to 5” job feels like a “5 to 9” sentence; complete with pin-striped suits and number badges. Anything too strict forces rebellion; which is counter-productive. A policy too relaxed invites carelessness; which is also counter-productive. However, we are talking about a career that is based on a game in which, in some cases, over 50% of the player’s income is garnered through endorsements of athletic gear. You can’t get more casual than that aside from bath robes and flip-flops.

So why the need to change the look of the players – particularly if it’s not effecting their stats or the sport itself – unless one just happens to have a personal disliking towards the look they choose, which I think is the case with David Stern and his posse. Most major corporations that have plants and/or people that work in the field don’t force their employees to don suits and/or sports coats; particularly because it’s non-productive and pointless. But David Stern’s efforts seem purely cosmetic; lacking any real substantive motivations aside from making his fellow golfing buddies feel warm and fuzzy.

Tungz