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As you may or may not know, the NBA recently established a”minimum dress code” for its players that must be adhered to whenever the players are “engaged in team or league business.”

The new policy requires:

n Players are required to wear business casual attire.

n A long or short sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), or sweater.

n Dress slacks, khaki pants or dress jeans.

n Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes.

Excluded items include:

n Sleeveless shirts.

n Shorts.

n T-shirts, jerseys, or sport apparel.

n Headgear.

n Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over clothes.

n Sunglasses while indoors.

n Headphones.

The issue of the NBA players having had to adopt a dress code has been a hotly debated subject over the last couple of weeks.

Some players are saying that they like the idea of dressing in suits, while others are saying that it is targeting black men, and the hip-hop culture.

Any time we're talking about the NBA’s image we are talking about the perception of the African American male. The NBA is 80 per cent black, and the last time I checked Steve Nash wasn’t wearing a platinum medallion.

Even though these athletes make huge amounts of money I can understand why some of them think the dress code is racially insensitive. It does have undertones of racism.

The NBA is big business, and in business image is extremely important. The NBA has made enourmous amounts of money off the hip-hop culture. The basketball culture is synonymous with hip-hop style and attitude. Charles Barkley (former NBA player, and TV commentator) acknowledged there are racial subtexts connected to the new dress code.

He also said that he is in favour of it. Barkley said that young black kids (and white) want to look like their NBA idols, but the problem is they don’t get paid like them.

When it’s time to enter the real world their NBA look is held against them. Chuck D said “white men in suits don’t have to jump.”

Many players feel that their individualism is under siege. The NBA spectators and major sponsors are mostly white.

This new dress code is an attempt to tidy up the league’s image. It is repackaging its product for white America. I think that some of the problems with the dress code illustrates a generational divide rather than a racial one.

The window dressing of tidying up the NBA's image is low on the totem pole as far as the NBA’s problems go. There is an ineffective drug policy, poor play, no defense, and inexperienced young players that just aren’t ready.

Some of the young hot shot superstars are reacting negatively towards the dress code because they’re not used to having the rules of society apply to them.

The on-court play of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Charles Barkley led the way to the ridiculous salaries of today's players.

The young players today receive millions of dollars on their potential. They are given the world without truly proving themselves on the court.

Everyone wanted to “be like Mike” on the court, but with his current business endeavors (and impeccable dress) maybe it’s time to “be like Mike” away from the court.[[In-content Ad]]

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