JONES ON THE NBA-DRESS CODE
Jones on the NBA
The Dress Code
Last week, the NBA unveiled their new league wide dress code policy for their players. Here is a summary of the league wide edict:
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.
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 UniformPlayers 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.
3. Excluded Items: The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear 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).
Although these rules might not seem that bad to you and I, they have elicited a round of responses from various players around the league. Most notably, the likes of Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, and Stephen Jackson. Watching Michael Jordan on “Sixty Minutes” last night made me realize what the real issue is. In his interview with Ed Bradley, Michael stated that the problem with the NBA is that the players have just been handed luxuries that they have not earned. In other words they have been paid on potential and not on results. Jordan makes $35 million a year on endorsements, in retirement. Why? Because he carefully crafted his image and realized how important it was to represent himself correctly not only for his own benefit but for the benefit of the NBA as a whole. Now that Jordan is retired, he does not care about how he is portrayed in the media. As he says, “Now is my time.” Basically he can drink and smoke cigars in public without being concerned. But before he knew he had a responsibility to carry himself a certain way. He had a responsibility to represent his league, his family, and his race in a certain way. People that are now the superstars of the league claim they grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. However, they have not succeeded in emulating Jordan one bit. Jordan was a professional, he worked hard, and although he was the best at his profession and could get away with anything he wanted to at a certain point in his career, he never stopped working hard and he never stopped carrying himself with the highest level of professionalism.
Do you think Michael Jordan did not want to arrive to games in a jump suit? He would have been much more comfortable. He never did that, because he new, as a basketball player making millions of dollars he had a responsibility to arrive to the arena flawlessly dressed and portray an image that would benefit a league that had given so much to him. This was both on the court and off of the court. Michael Jordan skip practice? Are you crazy? Michael Jordan late for the team bus, the team plane? Never!!! Michael Jordan getting surgery right before the start of the season, when he had an entire summer to take care of the issue? Not in this lifetime, buddy.
However these are things that you have come to expect from NBA players. These players have been given so much at an early age that they often times become complacent and take things for granted. They forget that if not for Magic and Michael carrying their selves in the manner that they did, the league would not be around today. They forget that it is clean cut, not hip-hop and street that made the NBA what it is today. They forget that they are PROFESSIONAL basketball players, and that as such they should conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism. Just because you are talented athletically does not give you the right to forget your professional responsibilities. As such, you have a responsibility to carry yourself at the highest level of professional standards.
Critics say that we should not be judging a book by its cover, and that the NBA’s policy is racist. Rubbish! Ideally, no one should judge someone by what they where, but are attire often represents who we are on a general level. When you don’t know someone on a personal level, you often find yourself allowing ones appearance to suggest certain things about their make up. And don’t throw the race card into this either, because it is not racist. I know plenty of older black people that are intimidated and displeased with the way many of our younger kids carry themselves. Are they racists?
Let’s put it this way. Would players hire an agent that attended his meetings in hip-hop garb? Would they hire a money manager that did the same? Would they trust any professional in such attire? What if David Stern dressed in that fashion? Would they still trust him to be their commissioner? There is a time and place for everything, and your job is the place that you want to look as professional as possible, especially when your job is something that requires you to be in the public eye.
You have to realize that as an NBA player, you are not only a ball player, but also a salesman and a marketer. You are selling and marketing tickets to the games, licensed NBA clothing, shoes, television contracts, video games, and whatever else the NBA attaches itself to. So you have a responsibility to represent yourself in a manner that all people, not just black, not just white, but all people can appreciate. When you retire with your millions, then you can go back to doing whatever you want, because by that time, unless you’ve reached the status of a Magic or Michael, no one will care what you are doing with yourself in retirement.
Quote of the week:
This weeks quote comes from my favorite player Ron Artest. Listen to his take on the dress code:
"I'm not really a suit guy, so I'm going to have some fun with it," he said, smiling. "I'll wear, like, purple shoes, yellow slacks, a burgundy shirt, cut-up tie and a lavender sport coat. I'm going to mix it up."
JONES ON THE NBA CAN BE REACHED AT JONESONTHENBA@YAHOO.COM
IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING JONES ON THE NBA, PLEASE SEND ME THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.
The Dress Code
Last week, the NBA unveiled their new league wide dress code policy for their players. Here is a summary of the league wide edict:
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.
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 UniformPlayers 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.
3. Excluded Items: The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear 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).
Although these rules might not seem that bad to you and I, they have elicited a round of responses from various players around the league. Most notably, the likes of Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, and Stephen Jackson. Watching Michael Jordan on “Sixty Minutes” last night made me realize what the real issue is. In his interview with Ed Bradley, Michael stated that the problem with the NBA is that the players have just been handed luxuries that they have not earned. In other words they have been paid on potential and not on results. Jordan makes $35 million a year on endorsements, in retirement. Why? Because he carefully crafted his image and realized how important it was to represent himself correctly not only for his own benefit but for the benefit of the NBA as a whole. Now that Jordan is retired, he does not care about how he is portrayed in the media. As he says, “Now is my time.” Basically he can drink and smoke cigars in public without being concerned. But before he knew he had a responsibility to carry himself a certain way. He had a responsibility to represent his league, his family, and his race in a certain way. People that are now the superstars of the league claim they grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. However, they have not succeeded in emulating Jordan one bit. Jordan was a professional, he worked hard, and although he was the best at his profession and could get away with anything he wanted to at a certain point in his career, he never stopped working hard and he never stopped carrying himself with the highest level of professionalism.
Do you think Michael Jordan did not want to arrive to games in a jump suit? He would have been much more comfortable. He never did that, because he new, as a basketball player making millions of dollars he had a responsibility to arrive to the arena flawlessly dressed and portray an image that would benefit a league that had given so much to him. This was both on the court and off of the court. Michael Jordan skip practice? Are you crazy? Michael Jordan late for the team bus, the team plane? Never!!! Michael Jordan getting surgery right before the start of the season, when he had an entire summer to take care of the issue? Not in this lifetime, buddy.
However these are things that you have come to expect from NBA players. These players have been given so much at an early age that they often times become complacent and take things for granted. They forget that if not for Magic and Michael carrying their selves in the manner that they did, the league would not be around today. They forget that it is clean cut, not hip-hop and street that made the NBA what it is today. They forget that they are PROFESSIONAL basketball players, and that as such they should conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism. Just because you are talented athletically does not give you the right to forget your professional responsibilities. As such, you have a responsibility to carry yourself at the highest level of professional standards.
Critics say that we should not be judging a book by its cover, and that the NBA’s policy is racist. Rubbish! Ideally, no one should judge someone by what they where, but are attire often represents who we are on a general level. When you don’t know someone on a personal level, you often find yourself allowing ones appearance to suggest certain things about their make up. And don’t throw the race card into this either, because it is not racist. I know plenty of older black people that are intimidated and displeased with the way many of our younger kids carry themselves. Are they racists?
Let’s put it this way. Would players hire an agent that attended his meetings in hip-hop garb? Would they hire a money manager that did the same? Would they trust any professional in such attire? What if David Stern dressed in that fashion? Would they still trust him to be their commissioner? There is a time and place for everything, and your job is the place that you want to look as professional as possible, especially when your job is something that requires you to be in the public eye.
You have to realize that as an NBA player, you are not only a ball player, but also a salesman and a marketer. You are selling and marketing tickets to the games, licensed NBA clothing, shoes, television contracts, video games, and whatever else the NBA attaches itself to. So you have a responsibility to represent yourself in a manner that all people, not just black, not just white, but all people can appreciate. When you retire with your millions, then you can go back to doing whatever you want, because by that time, unless you’ve reached the status of a Magic or Michael, no one will care what you are doing with yourself in retirement.
Quote of the week:
This weeks quote comes from my favorite player Ron Artest. Listen to his take on the dress code:
"I'm not really a suit guy, so I'm going to have some fun with it," he said, smiling. "I'll wear, like, purple shoes, yellow slacks, a burgundy shirt, cut-up tie and a lavender sport coat. I'm going to mix it up."
JONES ON THE NBA CAN BE REACHED AT JONESONTHENBA@YAHOO.COM
IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING JONES ON THE NBA, PLEASE SEND ME THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.
2 comments:
that'll be a good look for artest at 270 pounds...
B.Nash has officially returned to Jones on the NBA, sorry I was gone for so long. I guess I lost my way. Also, I haven't been following all the happenings on the NBA for a while, been busy. I did hear about the dress code on ESPN one night though. I totally agree with you though Nate, one-hundred percent. I never really understood why these players that have the chance to wear some of the finest suites to grace the sewing table, wear clothing that is equivalent to today's average high-schooler. I get sick of looking at players arrive to the stadium like they just stepped off the set of a music video (whatever genre). Jordan always looked professional when he came to handle his business, and handle it he did. These guys are pro athletes, they shouldn't be dressing like the kids that watch them on TV. They should be dressing like professionals. When I was playing ball, I always liked the fact that we had to wear suites here and there. That just gave my teammates and I a chance to look proper in the right setting. So what's the big deal with the NBA players? No one is saying that they can't buy or wear that kind of clothing on their own time. But when it's professional time, be professional. How often do you see Jay-Z in jerseys and 50/50 hats in magazines now, or at the meetings for the business he owns now? You don't!! And you probably won't see him in things like that for a while. People in general always want to be looked at with respect. Then do the things that are necessary and required for you to get that respect. Respect works both ways, it's give and take. In this case, these guys need to have more respect for themselves and deliver the message that is meant to be delivered by a professional. Finally, in regards to what Ron Artest said; you're always going to have those smart as-es in life that say they're going to go along with the plan, but don't really go along with the plan. If he wants to dress up like an intentional idiot, that's his deal. It would be different if someone wore something like what he described as an attempt to just change things up. That's okay I guess. But it's different when you know what you're wearing looks stupid, but you do it anyway. That's when you just make yourself look stupid. But let's be honest, he's already done that to himself a few times, so what's one more time really?
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