For wearing caps during interviews. How dare he!? http://www.cincypost.com/2005/01/28/nba01-28-2005.html RICH PEDRONCELLI/Associated Press Cuttino Mobley, right, wearing a knit cap, with Sacramento Kings teammate Mike Bibby. By Martin McNeal Sacramento Bee The NBA is messing with the Cat in the Hat. Sacramento Kings guard Cuttino Mobley drew the attention of NBA officials last week when he wore a knit cap during a television interview. Unbeknownst to him, Mobley was violating a memo sent by the league before the season that forbids wearing headgear during interviews. Mobley, known as "Cat" because he liked Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat" as a child, has been notified he was violating the league's edict and wasn't pleased. Mobley has continued to wear the skullies during interviews, an action that could bring further communication from the league. "I'm sure there is something else in life besides me wearing a logo-ed NBA gear," Mobley said Monday. "That's my whole thing. I'm a man of suits and ties, and you're worried about me wearing an NBA-logo hat? I don't have a fitted Phillies cap on. It's an NBA-logo skullie." NBA vice president Stu Jackson said the genesis of the directive is the league's desire that players be seen in their best light. "As we evaluated how we as a league presented ourselves to the media, absolutely one of the things that sets us apart is that fans can see the faces and expressions of our players," Jackson said. "As a result this season, we decided the best way to do so would be to send out that memo." Mobley, 29, said he believes he consistently presents himself in a positive manner. "I changed my gear just for that purpose," he said when preparing for an interview that would be seen on a national cable telecast. "It was a bad hair day for me, so what do you want me to do? It's just sometimes things are a little overboard to me. I'm not a problem child by no means. But don't get nit-picky. That's too much. "Concentrate on cats that don't walk around in a business fashion. I walk around in a business fashion. Everywhere you see me, I'm a gentleman, so do that to somebody else." That the Kings and the NBA sell the type of knit cap Mobley was wearing seemed a bit hypocritical to him. "I can see his point," Jackson said. "But whether it is an NBA-logo hat or any other hat, we would like for players to not wear them during interviews." Clearly, Jackson did not want this situation to escalate. Mobley was not fined, merely notified of the league's desires. And Jackson suggested that the league would prefer not to be overly punitive. "This is not something we're being heavy-handed about," Jackson said. "It's just something where we just want to work with the teams and help assist them with the policy." Mobley said he has not been directly contacted by the league. "(The NBA) has my number," he said.
stupid move by the league, first no ipods during warmups and now this? I can understand if the hat/skullcap had some sort of offensive material on it, but it was licensed NBA apparel that Cat was wearing. Cat has never done anything to warrant a "problem guy" status in his career. For the NBA to be pointing him out is just wrong and like the article states its a bit hypocritical since the league sells the merchandise itself. Go on Cat wear your skull caps I hope next year they'll say Houston Rockets on them again
The NBA is right, players wearing knit caps is just plain ridiculous. How dare they make a mockery of the league.
This reminds me of the NBA's fight against baggy shorts. Next will be a league mandate concerning proper grammer. Evan
I'll leave the obvious to someone else, but I will say that if the NBA were to suspend people for improper grammar, the league would fold.
he should be fined for that, just on a fasion level. although it looks like there was someone standing behind him but who knows
They are ok with guys that have things carved into their hair or mohawks or whatever, but not a "skullie." Oy. By the way, I just thought a "skullie" was a hot chick from X-Files.
