If they want to wear their rags and chains when they aren't on the court on the sideline or on their personal time then so be it. But on camera, when sitting on the sidelines of the court I believe they should be dressed properly. Different jobs require different dress requirements. I as a Chef have my Chef's uniform and proper pants to wear. Mechanics may have jeans or a uniform supplied by the company to wear. Ther military has their people dress in a certain uniform as well. A lawyer will wear his suit and tie to court. I believe that in this siutation it is proper for these NBA players that they should dress in proper attire. I for one applaude David Stern's decision. These players may like it or not but their job has reached outside just playing basketball. They are figures in the light such as Hollywood's entertainers and they do shape the culture in what our present day generations calls "cool". Whether or not they like that attention, it is what their jobs have become. So Yes they are being paid to look pretty for us and talk to the public. These players represent their organization, the faces of the nba and for the most part a large face in what the world sees American culture as. Like I said earlier if they don't like it then go play streetball or be a mechanic and put on some jeans and a dress shirt. Take a job that isn't in the light of the entertainment business like professional sports or hollywood. I am not putting any complaint towards accents but if they do start using profanity on the camera then yes there should be no tolerance towards it.
Spike Lee and Charles Barkley are both in favor of the dress code, despite the latent hypocrisy and racism: "Opinions on NBA Dress Code Far from Uniform." Mike Wise. Washington Post, October 23, 2005. But "I think David Stern was right on this issue," [Spike] Lee said in a telephone interview. "What are all those kids wearing the night they're drafted and they shake David Stern's hand? Suits. In corporate America, you have dress codes. Let's be honest: Image is everything. And they're trying to change the image of the league. Between the fight in Detroit last year and other perceptions, they've realized they have a public relations issue. They've set out to change it." Charles Barkley, the former all-star player and now an analyst for Turner Sports Television, acknowledged there are racial subtexts connected to the new dress code. He also said that's why he's in favor of it. (emphasis added) "Young black kids dress like NBA players," Barkley told the Los Angeles Times. "Unfortunately, they don't get paid like NBA players. So when they go out in the real world, what they wear is held against them. . . . "If a well-dressed white kid and a black kid wearing a 'do-rag and throwback jersey came to me in a job interview, I'd hire the white kid. That's reality."
Parker: So what did you say to Stern when you bumped into him in the hallway. Duncan: I was like, ' brace yo self! before I bust a cap in yo a**'.. haha ahh that Stern cracks me up!
Does your company require you to wear a suit on a plane for out of town trips as well as the hotel lobby? I honestly believe that suits for sideline, interviews etc are fine, infact I think it would help. But on a plane? Well atleast they fly first class so it's not that bad.
