http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13737316p-14579289c.html
By Joe Davidson
Mike Bibby scanned the handout and frowned. He was studying the NBA's mandated dress code, fresh from the league office and soon to be official. It means a new look for the players off the floor when representing the team or during league functions.
Translated: out with retro jerseys, baggy jeans, T-shirts as big as tents and "chains, pendants or medallions;" and in with a more business-casual look. And perhaps, a lot of resistance.
Bibby, the veteran Kings guard, doesn't like the change. Teammates such as Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson said they will abide by the memo that officially goes into affect at the start of the regular season and agreed there needs to be a degree of professionalism in the league. For now, Bibby muttered that "clothes don't make the man."
He is like a lot of his NBA peers. He has grown up in sweats, baggy shorts and jeans. He has worn fancy duds only a few times, such as his guest appearance on "Wheel of Fortune" that will air, coincidentally, during the NBA's opening week.
Bibby and his teammates, in effect, have less than two weeks to clear out their lockers of any of the soon-to-be-banned material and dash out for a quick shopping spree. Or, according to NBA Commissioner David Stern, face fines and/or suspension.
"It (stinks)," Bibby said. "I think it's unrealistic. And what the hell are dress jeans?"
Presumably, those would be more stylish jeans acceptable under the new code. Business casual, according to the memo, includes a long or short-sleeved dress short and/or sweater. If not dress jeans - more definition may be in order - then khakis will work. And how often do NBA players wear khakis? Kings players couldn't recall a single time.
Marcus Camby, he of the $7 million salary this season with the Denver Nuggets, said the other day that NBA players should be granted a stipend to help fund the new wardrobes. He has since backed off and said he supports the mandate.
And his teammate, Carmelo Anthony, joked that retro jerseys are out, so "roll with it."
Stern told ESPN on Tuesday that he didn't know exactly how the new rules would be enforced. The rules also apply to injured players, who will be required to wear a sportcoat while on the bench. He said the league "will use a broad range of authority."
Kings coach Rick Adelman said that he doesn't want to have to police his players - nor does he have any desire to do so - while he's got more pressing matters on his mind such as player rotations.
Williamson, the elder member of the Kings at 31, said the code is not "really a big deal."
"Players are only concerned with how we perform on the court," Williamson said. "I'm about to turn 32, and my wife (Michelle) doesn't want me to wear retro jerseys. But the young guys, that's how they dress. And for some guys in the league, a fine's not going to bother them."
Such as Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, who has said he will not conform to the policy.
"I think a lot of the players who make big money will be sending in blank checks to the league office," Kings reserve guard Jason Hart said. "They'll use it as a tax write-off. I wish it wasn't so drastic and sudden. I can see some minor changes, but not everything."
Young players on the Kings roster such as Kevin Martin and Francisco García said they're not established enough to object to any regulations. They're too concerned about securing playing time.
"I'll do anything the league wants me to do," said guard Ronnie Price, who is scrambling just to make the team. "I've got some dress clothes and I don't have a problem getting more. I'd love to get more."
Kings assistant coach T.R. Dunn said he didn't recall a dress code when he played in the NBA during the 1980s, saying it was "left up to good discretion."
"And the league wasn't nearly as visible then like it is now," he said. "We didn't have TV cameras following us as we got off the team bus. It's a different era now."
NBA dress code
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 uniform
Players 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:
• Sportcoat.
• Dress shoes or boots, and socks.
B. Players leaving the arena
Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.
C. Special events or appearances
Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate - e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.
3. EXCLUDED ITEMS
The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time 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)
By Joe Davidson
Mike Bibby scanned the handout and frowned. He was studying the NBA's mandated dress code, fresh from the league office and soon to be official. It means a new look for the players off the floor when representing the team or during league functions.
Translated: out with retro jerseys, baggy jeans, T-shirts as big as tents and "chains, pendants or medallions;" and in with a more business-casual look. And perhaps, a lot of resistance.
Bibby, the veteran Kings guard, doesn't like the change. Teammates such as Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson said they will abide by the memo that officially goes into affect at the start of the regular season and agreed there needs to be a degree of professionalism in the league. For now, Bibby muttered that "clothes don't make the man."
He is like a lot of his NBA peers. He has grown up in sweats, baggy shorts and jeans. He has worn fancy duds only a few times, such as his guest appearance on "Wheel of Fortune" that will air, coincidentally, during the NBA's opening week.
Bibby and his teammates, in effect, have less than two weeks to clear out their lockers of any of the soon-to-be-banned material and dash out for a quick shopping spree. Or, according to NBA Commissioner David Stern, face fines and/or suspension.
"It (stinks)," Bibby said. "I think it's unrealistic. And what the hell are dress jeans?"
Presumably, those would be more stylish jeans acceptable under the new code. Business casual, according to the memo, includes a long or short-sleeved dress short and/or sweater. If not dress jeans - more definition may be in order - then khakis will work. And how often do NBA players wear khakis? Kings players couldn't recall a single time.
Marcus Camby, he of the $7 million salary this season with the Denver Nuggets, said the other day that NBA players should be granted a stipend to help fund the new wardrobes. He has since backed off and said he supports the mandate.
And his teammate, Carmelo Anthony, joked that retro jerseys are out, so "roll with it."
Stern told ESPN on Tuesday that he didn't know exactly how the new rules would be enforced. The rules also apply to injured players, who will be required to wear a sportcoat while on the bench. He said the league "will use a broad range of authority."
Kings coach Rick Adelman said that he doesn't want to have to police his players - nor does he have any desire to do so - while he's got more pressing matters on his mind such as player rotations.
Williamson, the elder member of the Kings at 31, said the code is not "really a big deal."
"Players are only concerned with how we perform on the court," Williamson said. "I'm about to turn 32, and my wife (Michelle) doesn't want me to wear retro jerseys. But the young guys, that's how they dress. And for some guys in the league, a fine's not going to bother them."
Such as Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, who has said he will not conform to the policy.
"I think a lot of the players who make big money will be sending in blank checks to the league office," Kings reserve guard Jason Hart said. "They'll use it as a tax write-off. I wish it wasn't so drastic and sudden. I can see some minor changes, but not everything."
Young players on the Kings roster such as Kevin Martin and Francisco García said they're not established enough to object to any regulations. They're too concerned about securing playing time.
"I'll do anything the league wants me to do," said guard Ronnie Price, who is scrambling just to make the team. "I've got some dress clothes and I don't have a problem getting more. I'd love to get more."
Kings assistant coach T.R. Dunn said he didn't recall a dress code when he played in the NBA during the 1980s, saying it was "left up to good discretion."
"And the league wasn't nearly as visible then like it is now," he said. "We didn't have TV cameras following us as we got off the team bus. It's a different era now."
NBA dress code
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 uniform
Players 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:
• Sportcoat.
• Dress shoes or boots, and socks.
B. Players leaving the arena
Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.
C. Special events or appearances
Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate - e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.
3. EXCLUDED ITEMS
The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time 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)
