You knew it was coming. There was no way I was going to let the NBA slide for their new dress code policy. I waited for the season to actually begin before I commented on it and in that time I've been wavering back and forth on whether I agree with it or not.
Ok so do I agree that these young black men who make millions of dollars and influence children all across the world should be very careful about what they say, do, and wear? Sure. So I don't think it's asking too much for them to put a suit on. Marcus Camby of the Denver Nuggets said that NBA players should be given a stipend to buy suits. Mr. Camby makes 10 million dollars so if he needs help buying a suit or two then he should probably be forced to get a financial adviser as well. But he inadvertently made a good point. What about the guy who gets called up to play from the NBDL(The NBA's version of the minor leagues) who doesn't make millions of dollars? Would that guy get fined just as much as Allen Iverson? That's the first flaw I found in the dress code. But what's really behind this new dress code?
Hip hop...ah there's the rub.
There are CEO's all over this country that put on a oversized pair of Rocawear jeans and a white tee and some Air Jordans on their feet. They sit down at their desks with their Master Degrees on the wall behind them. That's hip hop and that's what the NBA doesn't understand.
But the NBA says it wants to steer away from hip hop. Liars. They love hip
hop. They make millions off of it every year. Everybody does. Kanye West graced the cover of Time magazine...not the Source magazine...TIME. Jay-Z, had a feature story in Fortune about his success as a CEO and was GQ's Man of The Year in Britain. In fact, we -- being in and of the hip-hop culture -- were responsible for generating $1.5 billion annually for corporate companies, making what we do and who we are one of the top corporate financial entities in America. Last I looked, Cingular Wireless (which just posted a 56 percent third-quarter profit increase) and Target and Nike and Viacom and Disney were trying to "incorporate" us into their marketing and brand-building plans.
So here we are with the NBA in 2005 saying to it's millionaire players that they can't wear jewelry, jerseys, or headphones. They must dress business casua
l or they'll be giving back a portion of their checks. Why? Because if you dress like a business man you might not do bad things? Hmmm ok. Would you rather us be like Karl Rove or Tom DeLay or Lewis Libby? Would you rather your players present themselves more like Enron's Kenneth Lay or Jeff Skilling? Arthur Andersen's Joe Berardino? Tyco's Dennis Kozlowski? WorldCom's Bernie Ebbers? Maybe you guys can point out Lil Kim as being an example of hip hop's jail mentality and conveniently forget to mention Martha Stewart. Or maybe you'll remember to mention that most of the "thuggery" clothes we buy (especially those worn by NBA players) come from Neiman's, Macy's and Saks, where entire floors are devoted to our fashion and designers.So this clothing that's not ok for NBA players to wear is in fact good enough for your billionaire corporate sponsors to sell? Hypocrites.
With all that being said if I could afford a 60,000 dollar chain and drive a Bentley I'd want to wear a Brooks Brothers suit to complete the look on most days. But I'd also want the freedom to be able to show up in my Sean John jeans and an oversized L-R-G hoodie with my shades on fronting like my doo doo don't stink.Note to the NBA: Those dunks you love and use to promote your game? Hip Hop. The styles of
uniform that are now being worn by every NBA team? Hip Hop. The beef between Shaq and Kobe that you love so much? Hip Hop. And I know that part of the reason you don't want your players wearing a Rocawear shirt is because you're giving away free advertising dollars. But what you don't realize is that hip hop adjusts. This is how we were built in the first place. We decide what's hot not you. We'll be just as cool and rebellious in our suits as in our jeans.
31 comments:
Ha! thats funny, my post for tomorrow is about this!
I'm white but I'm cool? LMAO!!! damn I'm white, sounded like you gave me one strike against me for that!!! U didnt know I was white until u saw my picture! lol!
A nice looking man in a suit makes me horny. A fine ass, tall sexy man in a suit might just make me cum. BRING ON THE DRESS CODE!!
I'm sorry I just got so nasty with it. But damn, you put NBA and suit in the same post, and I just got a thrill!
And might I add, you put a picture of ALLEN IVERSON on the damn post. Are you crazy? You should have known.
@Danielle You are going to always be black to me!!!
@GP You are a wild girl! I'm offended that you didn't mention anything about THE KING in my suit!!!
I have no problem with these brothers having to wear business casual when they are on the clock. Some of them were flat out dirty looking at times. Clean ya self up for the cameras. But I'm from Chicago and Jordan and Pippin took their gear to a new level. I understand they were older but danm do you have to look like my play cousin, Mookie when you come to the stadium?
Shoot, if I were them I would start looking for a endorsement deal from a company that puts out modest priced suits. Even the average brother could afford a $500 suit.
Cats need to get on that hustle.
That was you. That guy actually looked cute. Looking good DDOT!
@Jackie I might take the picture of myself down and find one of J.O. to replace it since no one wants to acknowledge how fly I am!!
@James Manning The endorsement deal is a great idea. See if only everybody thought reasonably like that!!!
Thanks GP!!!
If I have to buy my suits from with my little azz salary, I'm not hearing no whining from a grown ass men who are millionairs.
Hip hop is not limited to sneakers and jersey's. We do it a little bigger now..when we made that transition to ownership. As Puff said from the block to the boardroom. It's time for brothers to grow up. Russel Simmons, Puff, Jay Z, LL and other hip hop faces have reflected that level of maturity. Don't get it twisted, record company executives wear suits too..I interned for Atlantic Records while in school. That's a misconception about urban, black or hip hop. I would love to wear hot pants to work and relfect that aspect of hip hop all day, but I can't cuz I don't own the business. This should be a lesson to these players making millions, they need to start owning teams.
Keep in mind on every level in sports, from HS to college, the players have to roc suits when they are doing team business. It wasn't until recently that NBA players started being more relaxed. Jordan and Magic rocked suits back in the day..so were they not reflecting the hip hop culture?
BTW- There are mad typo's in my post..blogging from work and it's busy today..my bad.
Oh Yeah: You look nice all dressed up D.
Wow MPP your comments the past couple of days have been really on fire! I feel what you're saying and I absolutely agree.
Oh and MPP don't worry about the typos we all do it and thanks for the compliment.
@ MPP,
I'm with you. I'm not trying to hear a cat making millions complain about buying a suit. Hell, hit up Barchrach or the Men's Warehouse like the rest of us.
When my younger cousin turned 16 he was in a situation where he needed a suit. This brother wanted to pink out a green suit. I damn near choked him. What dignified black man rocks a bright green suit?
So I had to give him the grown ass man talk about suits.
See, you don't need 10 suits. I purchased him one black blazer and explained to him that he could mix and match the pants, shirt and tie to his liking.
My daddy told me, if you only have one suit, make it a classic black or blue suit. This way you have something for interviews, funerals or any formal ocassion.
Now give my $30,000 (and most of these brothers should have $30,000 floating around somewhere) and I'll hit Michigan Ave in Chicago and turn an NBA conference the "F" out.
Too true.Clothes can make you feel more confident,show the world who you are.People should be able to use clothes as a form of expression.They do not make you do bad things.People can do things like that very well on their own.
they better wear dem suits...lol
That is so weird considering the players can do anything else they want to do...I can't even comment because I think playing basketball for millions is ludacris. And they worry about their clothes. Yeah right!
@ DDOT- Thanks babes. I'm just tired of being put in a box. We have to stop putting ourselves in a damn box. Geez..... I can pick out tons of examples where powers are trying to oppress us, but a dress code in a business you don't own ain't one of'em. I'm just sayin...
This was a good post. I was going to rant about it on the NBK home base, but I think I've said enough here. Keep it coming..I'll be sneaking back during the day to see what your talking about..FYI my IT Manager has been in my office working on shit for the past few days..she is Blog=Blockin somethin serious.
Very well said! I grew up in the 'Dress for Success' era and always heard phrases like 'dress to impress'. I like the dress code. I like to see a man in a suit in the right situation. I think you're right about the fines being dependent on salary, though.
Sorry, I'm late....it's been crazy.
Anyhoo, of course white America is threatened by hip hop....black folks ain't supposed to influential! What sense does that make....oh wait...that's been happening for a long time now... where do think Elvis got that swivel in his hips...
I've already said regarding this issue, that I'm not concerned about what a player is wearing at a post game press conference. I'm listening to what he's saying! It' not a freakin fashion show!
Now, on a personal level, I love seeing NBA players in suits...very grown and sexy!
@GP (shaking my head)...I mean, REALLY! lol
Like I think this is one of the most blatant attacks at African-American men in quite some time.
Sure on the surface it seems innocent "we just want our players to wear a collar shirt to look more 'professional.'"
Well that's fine and dandy Mr. Stern -- but that isn't what this is about. This is, to be blunt, about last November at the Palace of Auburn Hills... Pacers vs Pistons. This is to show the NBA ticket buyer (average 45-year-old white man) that , well, the "niggers" aren't running things. The inmates aren't running the asylum, this is an attempt by Stern to show that he still has control.
He could care less what the players show up to games in. Actually, check that he WOULD RATHER they come in Jersey's (more sales) but he has to show control, so he picked something that average NBA fan might have a problem with.
I have a problem with him trying to vale in secrecy his plan and use the Dress Code as a means to hide it.
Wack if you ask me... And what does them having a million dollars have to do with anything?
"Wack if you ask me... And what does them having a million dollars have to do with anything?"
I totally agree with Rell...
Donald Trump has beaucoup cash, but did anyone tell him he needs to do something about that stupid hair cut??
Anyway....it's just ridiculous
Even though I left that silly little comment yesterday, I am against the dress code. Only because I believe in freedom of expression. However, earlier this year I recall NBA players asked for higher pay raises and I forgot the other things. The comission did not have any problem compromising and coming up with a deal. I think that the players are becoming spoiled little brats and need to adhere to some of the things that the commision wants them to. Yes they are the life line of the NBA, but they don't control anything. They are employees and they have bosses. I wish I could throw a fit about some of the things my boss asks of me.
GP: I think it is your killer pussy that makes you post like that!
I heard about the policy, and I just thought it was up to the team to figure on what to do. I remember the Cowboys under Landry. As I recall, they had to wear nice clothes when injured and on the sideline. It was part of the Cowboys persona at the time.
ddot: sorry for mentioning the Cowboys - they are not my team at all.
@ Rell- having millions has a lot to do with it. These dummies have all of this money and no power, meaning ownership. So-what Stern is tryna flex. Why are we always tryna change what other people do and not ourselves? We know that the powers that be don't have us in their best interest..why do we act all shocked when white folks use flex their power? Own some shit then you can have some say..it's really that simple.
@brownsoul- you my girl, but you can't compare Trump who owns shit to rich people who don't. Trump works for himself ma.
@GP- Thank you!
LOL @ Mizzpowderpink -- what is an NBA players uniform?
A Jersey and some shorts -- comparing it to our everyday jobs isn't really RELLevant (hehe, play on words).
They're being asked to wear something BESIDES their uniform for a total time span of maybe 8 minutes a day.
Still wack in my opinion.
we talked about this at length on my blog (seriously not trying to pub at all) and my boy Bomani -- who writes for ESPN -- weighed in.
It's an interesting subject.
http://rellavent.blogspot.com/2005/10/bomani-jones-dress-code-is-dangerous.html
@mizpowderpink
I hear ya love.
It's true that if you walk into a boardroom wearing sneakers and shorts, no one is going to take you seriously! What(help me understand) WHAT does that have to do with saying a few words at a press conference after a game???
Why should a player have to put on a suit for that?
I don't think the new dress code is really about being professional. Putting on a suit is not gonna change some the ignorant behavior that makes some of the players seem unprofessional.
When Rell did this topic at his spot, I mentioned a rule at my high school which reminded me (kinda) of this...
Th rule was that guys could NOT wear their hair in braids...the administration never gave us a reason, but it was rumored that some said it was a sign of gang activity. Now I grew up in a very rural small town...the whole no braids thing was not about gangs...it was about old-fashioned white folks who could not stand to see these boys with braided hair. Well, what happened was that all the guys just started wearing afros....it became a contest among them to see who could rock the biggest afro. When the adminstration saw this, the quickly changed the rule and allowed the guys to wear braided hair. I guess the braids seemed a little less threatening...I meant more professional than afros.
What the hell kind of post is this D? I can't find ONE GOT-DAM thing to argue about.
Be warned
You are slipping.
to
the
peculiar
side....
mu hu hu hu ha ha haaaaa
er I mean.
I love to see men who are dressed well. Not just expensive - but well. That means, polished shoes, a tee shirt, under the button-up & a starched collar. But men can also look marvelous in pressed jeans and nice sweater too.
Why should women be the only ones who put so much effort into looking nice? I think that men so themselves a disservice when they wear thier clothes so baggy and wrinkled that they look like a homeless person. Just like when women wear clothes that are ill fitting...Especially when the outfit is running into several hundred dollars. (It makes no sense) I personally like to see what a man has under his clothes and so many of them hide everything that I don't even want to imagine. (Can you say DISAPPOINTMENT) Now that fine Gent that had the suit on.. on your post he was cute.
Oh wait... Was that YOU?????
er um. I mean. He shouldn't have such nice eyes, or something.
LOL
Nice post!
(you internet phenom you...)
hahahaa
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