Here in Portland I hope some of the Trailblazers will hook their brand images to companies like REI and others that produce and market the clothing and gear that enable folks to get into the out of doors in comfort. Imagine a line of kids following Damian Lillard up a trail in the Columbia River Gorge, looking for Eagles and Ospreys, in the drizzle, comfortable in great boots and sensible outer ware.
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Imagine that kids dismiss the egos and millionaires of the NBA as peculiarities of marketing and capitalism, and focus on environmentalists like Muir & Abbey, and thinkers like Emerson and Thoreau, instead.
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An ironic fortune, as the NBA felt forced to implement a "players dress code" in 2005 because of the unprofessional (read thuggish) style that was en vogue in the players community at that time.
Allen Iverson was quoted at the time to say, "the dress code is not who I am and doesn't allow me to express myself."
Paul Pierce said the dress code was subliminal racism, "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."
Ten years on the conformity that was railed at by players at the time has been transformed into an avenue of self-expression. What changed?
Hip-hop culture is no longer dominated by "young black males". There is more diversity, different voices with different ideas. Second, social media emerged - allowing players to craft their personal style without reliance on corporate endorsements and grooming.
Ultimately, fashion allows players to transcend from athlete to celebrity, without having to actually be a winner. For some players, being seen as a king off the court is as important as being an actually king on the court. They "want to be like Mike" the brand, not the championship player.
As self-proclaimed "fashion king" NIck Young said "I’m like Kanye, Pharrell. You could compare me to those levels", while his Lakers sit rotting in last place.
Allen Iverson was quoted at the time to say, "the dress code is not who I am and doesn't allow me to express myself."
Paul Pierce said the dress code was subliminal racism, "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."
Ten years on the conformity that was railed at by players at the time has been transformed into an avenue of self-expression. What changed?
Hip-hop culture is no longer dominated by "young black males". There is more diversity, different voices with different ideas. Second, social media emerged - allowing players to craft their personal style without reliance on corporate endorsements and grooming.
Ultimately, fashion allows players to transcend from athlete to celebrity, without having to actually be a winner. For some players, being seen as a king off the court is as important as being an actually king on the court. They "want to be like Mike" the brand, not the championship player.
As self-proclaimed "fashion king" NIck Young said "I’m like Kanye, Pharrell. You could compare me to those levels", while his Lakers sit rotting in last place.
Could you please name one player who subscribes to, "... being seen as a king off the court is as important as being an actually king on the court."?
The move from athlete to celebrity is not a transcendence, it is a descent. And for the record, some team has to be last. Just being in the NBA at all is a fantastic accomplishment for an athlete.
The move from athlete to celebrity is not a transcendence, it is a descent. And for the record, some team has to be last. Just being in the NBA at all is a fantastic accomplishment for an athlete.
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Melo looks great in the suit. Now, if only they could get him to play defense...
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It's okay to be into fashion. Having said that I like it when I see NBA players donating their time and money into the poorer communities. I think most players are sincere and want to give back to the community, It is not just a PR gimmick
Carmelo Anthony?! Clothes make the man!! Give me a break!!!
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NBA basketball players have always been fashion forward. During the late 1970's many NBA players frequented Studio 54.
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James Harden's beard is a 19th-century fantasia. Heroic.
Westbrook's style and energy crosses generations. My mother, age 83 has his pics on her mantle. Kudos to him for getting his endorsements despite coming from small market OKC. But his latest foray into morning energy drinks has Mom wondering if she's supposed to start drinking the Dew before doing her quilting.
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Where's Rajon Rondo? I want to see a butterscotch plaid jacket with cutoff sleeves worn with a camo shirt and pink shorts.
I'm glad I grew up in the days of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Roy Campanella and Hank Aaron.
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That's a ridiculous remark! I am 65 y/o and was a team doc for awhile as a favor to a manager. Yeah''"Great" days--when the black players couldn't stay in the same hotel or eat in the same restaurant as the white folks.
Days of venomous vitriol spat at players. And I'm seeing the very same vitriol in many of these comments. It has to be envy...no other reason for this much hatred over "fashion."
Days of venomous vitriol spat at players. And I'm seeing the very same vitriol in many of these comments. It has to be envy...no other reason for this much hatred over "fashion."
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Clowns.
This is great! Now if we could just have some winning basketball players in NYC, we'd be all set.
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Maybe some of these guys (Anthony, for one) should spend less time as "N.B.A. fashion guy[s]” and more time thinking about their play and how to improve their teams?
Passe?
Passe?
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I hope this will open another door to minority designers for recognition and promoting their brands. As it is noted in this paper, they represent just 4% of the fashion world, a pitiful form of tokenism; it's still a one sided world, but I hope things will change very soon. It really is shameful—like having one black ballerina at ABT in a country that is nearly 50% minority.
Walt Frazier's nickname was "Clyde" as in Bonnie and Clyde as he dressed as smooth as he played.
I was a team doctor for the Utah Stars of the ABA and delighted in meeting up with both ABA and NBA players in the 1970s. What a high flyin' wonderful time that was. When Dr. J said he was coming out with a shoe line everyone thought he meant his hoops shoes with the leather uppers..but he meant stylish shoes...Italian leather shoes.
Those were good times on and off the court...before the NBA players were all multi-millionaires. They "hung" with the fans..it was great fun.