NBA Tells Iman Shumpert to Take Adidas Logo out of His Flat Top

In the NBA, haircuts are no laughing matter.

Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks had an Adidas logo shaved into the back of his head, which the league eventually forced him to remove.

On his Instagram account, Shumpert posted a picture of the original design alongside what the back of his head looked like after having it expunged. The caption beneath the image read "banned."

For those wondering if the NBA can actually reprimand a player for his hairstyle, the answer—in this case—is yes (via Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated):

"

Sporting a corporate logo during games is indeed against NBA rules. Item 5 of Section H of the NBA rule book’s extended comments section, which governs “player/team conduct and dress”, reads: “The only article bearing a commercial ‘logo’ which can be worn by players is their shoes.”

The language appears alongside other uniform notes, which include: no t-shirts, players must tuck their uniform shirts into their shorts, players must assume a “dignified posture” during the National Anthem, and coaches and assistant coaches must wear a “sport coat or suit coat” during games.

"

Part of me considers this unfair. The other part of me also understands that most employers may have a thing, two or 50 to say about anyone who shows up to work with an Adidas logo on the back of their head.

Still, the Association isn't most employers. And if we want to be technical, Shumpert is employed by both the NBA and Adidas. It's not as if his latest fashion statement was totally random.

Truthfully, the main issue here is how unfortunate Shumpert's hair looks now.

Some might not have been too keen on the logo as it originally was, but now, he just has an empty triangle etched on the back of his noggin. Doesn't exactly scream "Haircut of the Year," does it?

Of course, Shump's flat top isn't about to win any hairstyle awards either. The thing is a monstrosity and, at times, an eyesore. Carmelo Anthony has apparently even asked him to axe it.

But Melo isn't the NBA. The league has a set of written rules that prevents Shumpert from donning company emblems on his head. To the best of my knowledge, there's nothing in there about skyscraper-esque haircuts.

Unfortunate flat top aside, let this be a lesson, kids. 

Shumpert attempted to rep an endorser and got burned. He went from sporting an Adidas imprint to just a mundane triangle.

If you don't want to wind up looking just like our good friend Shump here, and you're not an avid fan of the Pythagorean theorem, always remember to think before you buzz.

Follow @danfavale