3 Dress Code Changes We'd Like to See the NBA Make
Believe it or not, the NBA's dress code has been in effect since before the 2005-2006 season. When the NBA's business casual dress code was adopted, there were prominent figures speaking out against the racial overtures surrounding the policy.
There was Paul Pierce, who pointed out that the dress code is aimed at black players. "When I saw the part about chains, hip hop and throwback jerseys, I think that’s part of our culture,” Pierce said. “The NBA is young black males.”
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had an opinion on the dress code, too.
""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."
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Personally, I didn't have a problem with the NBA before it had a dress code; I can't relate to the players any more now than I could before. I don't watch the NBA more often now because the players are dressed professionally before and after games. It's a non-issue for me.
But the fact remains that the NBA has had its dress code for six seasons now. It also doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. But while the NBA may never abolish the dress code, there are three changes it can make to amend it.
Make Owners Follow the Dress Code
The dress code was about changing the image of the NBA's players. But if the league wants to avoid hypocrisy, then it should make its owners adhere to the dress code as well. Granted, the owners own the teams and, as such, should be able to wear what they want.
Take Mark Cuban for example—I can't tell you how many times I've seen him on the sidelines in either a Mavs T-shirt or a Mavs jersey.
Seeing Cuban dressed like that in the stands doesn't offend me, but if enacting the dress code was about changing the image of the NBA, then it should extend to all NBA employees. Sure, the owners do run their teams, but they also answer to David Stern.
Also, it's much easier to argue that the dress code is racially motivated when the owners—who are comprised of mostly white men—are not forced to follow the dress code, while the players—who are made up of mostly blacks—are forced to adhere to it.
By making the dress code mandatory for all owners and players, the NBA would clear up all hypocrisy and eliminate potential arguments that the dress code was motivated by race.
Players Not Dressed for the Game Shouldn't Have to Follow the Dress Code
If owners don't have to follow the dress code, then injured players or players not dressed for the game shouldn't have to follow it either.
As it currently stands, "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: sport coat and dress shoes or boots and socks."
The day when owners are forced to abide by the dress code is when players on the sidelines should have to as well. Until then, neither of them should be forced to. It needs to be the same all the way across the board.
Players Should Be Allowed to Wear Team-Issued Clothing During Press Conferences
When players attend postgame press conferences, they're forced to follow the dress code. They should be allowed to wear team-issued attire.
What's wrong with having DeMarcus Cousins wearing a Kings jumpsuit, or Kevin Love in T-Wolves gear, during a postgame press conference?
Chances are, if you're watching the press conference, then you just watched the game beforehand. If you weren't offended by the players in uniform during the game, then you shouldn't have a problem with it after the game.
After all, the players are still representing the NBA and their teams when they wear team-issued gear. You could argue that they don't look professional when doing interviews in their jumpsuits, but they're leaving the arena where they just played basketball.
