Ok, what are those little bands around the wrists of some players? I think Tracy wears them. Is it to protect the wrist from the rim? Also, some players have a support sleeve around the entire arm, or most of the leg, usually one or the other. Is there a good reason for this?
Here's a link to a pic of the wrist bands. http://groups.msn.com/SuperstarsoftheNBA/tracymcgrady.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=211
Hmmm...looks like a variation of one of those Livestrong bracelets that people wear in support of various charities/causes...Can't remember what the blue ones are for.
I once read an article where they asked KG about his rubberbands his wearing on the arms and wrist. KG replied that he uses them for a kind of punishment if he makes a bad play. If he misses an easy basket or something like that, he grabs the rubberband pulls it, and then lets it snap back. This gives him some "ouch" and punishment so that he he is learning from it. I am not sure if these rubberbands are only black and/or if the blue and red-ones are also out off rubber.
Those are to give the elbow or knee joint more support. Usually, they'll wear them after an injury to avoid aggravating the injury.
IIRC, Barkley used to wear rubber bands and snap them when shooting free throws to signify to his kids he was thinking of them (not sure if it included theones he didn't know about as well).
That tmac pic is funny, as Francis is in the background and they are on both in their old uniforms. The irony of it all.
There's this weirdo theory that the pressure from a rubber band on your wrist increases your balance. Not sure I believe it but I wear them all the time. (Makes it easy when you need one at work)
