The Commish Should Read This and So Should You!

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 15, 2006 4:37 PM PST in NBA Comment 22 comments

We got nuthin' but luv for you Commish, but it's time to retire

There is absolutely no question that Commissioner David Stern has done wonders for the NBA and the game of basketball. Under his guidance the league has gone from having games on tape-delay to being broadcast live worldwide on TV, streaming internet, and those online boxscores that we all click refresh on a million times. The NBA logo has Jerry West dribbling the ball, but it should really have David Stern sporting his cool glasses on it.

But David Stern is losing it. The dress code was one of the most ignorant and racially motivated rules I've ever seen in professional sports (along with the No Fun League's (NFL) ban on bandannas), outlawing the Kobe and DWade tights was just bizarre (although they were admittedly goofy-looking!), and implementing a new ball that so many players disliked was just foolish.

GSoM friend Preetom Battacharya of HoopsWorld breaks all of this down with a special focus on the NBA's plan to remove all NBA-related video content of the internet in Fans Lose Another One.

Pree's right on the money about the dress code:

Although he'd never admit it, David Stern's new rules are putting up a glass wall between the athletes and their fans. Prior to the dress code, when players came to the bench in the clothing they normally wear, fans could go to their local department store and literally find similar clothing styles. Ballers across the nation began wearing the Kobe-tights, Iverson arm-sleeves, and most certainly had the elbow covered with a sweatband as they practiced their crossovers, fadeaways, and (for the lucky ones) tomahawk dunks.

Purely from a marketing standpoint doesn't it seem like the NBA is shooting themselves in the foot by banning players from sporting hoops gear on the sidelines and press conferences? That's essentially free advertising and promotion time. Kids want to wear what they see their NBA heroes wearing. It just doesn't make any cents (pun intended).

And he's definitely on point about the fan created videos which I'm sure everyone on GSoM can agree are a pleasure to watch:

Fans across the world watch short clips that others edit to make a highlight reel, often with music in the background and flashy graphics that these fans/video editors spend their free time putting together. Not only are they simply being fans and spending time on a hobby, but these people are damn good at what they do. In fact, they're better than most arena video editors. They're better than NBATV's nightly Top Ten.

Again, from a marketing standpoint does it make any cents to kill the passion of your most loyal fans? Imagine if we strictly regulated our GSoM Warrior Web Pins and said we only wanted ones that Fantasy Junkie or I created. That wouldn't be much fun for us nor you. This is essentially why Friendster has been a bust in the online social networking space, while MySpace has blown up big time. Friendster tried to strictly control fake profiles, hacks, and community groups, but MySpace was an open and flexible space for its members. Let people have fun.

I know we're all going to miss hype videos like this one that loyal GSoM community member JRichIsAGod posted (majors props to HustleNHeart for the film work):

Commish- you want to get rid of videos like this one? You can't be serious!

Definitely check out our man Pree's whole piece and drop him a line too. It's required reading for Commissioner David Stern, the GSoM community, and all NBA junkies worldwide.

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Dress code

The dress code was one of the most ignorant and racially motivated rules I've ever seen...

LOL, give me a break! How many white boys were attired in suit and tie before Stern's ruling? After the ruling the boys had to put their jeans and sweaters away and go get out the one suit they bought for the NBA lottery. Hell, last night Murphy couldn't sit on the bench - no suit! Put the tired old race card away, Stern was pulling out the old green stuff card on this one.

by Ace Fury on Nov 15, 2006 5:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say race was the only motivation

but don't tell me it didn't play a role in Stern's decision making. In our society hip-hop culture gets a bad rap (sometimes deserved), but when it comes to the clothing associated with it it is simply more about style and self-expression. You mean to tell me that folks like Artest, Iverson and Rasheed Wallace who openly display their connection to hip-hop in their choice of clothing don't irk Stern and some of his marketing buddies just a lil' bit. The whole dress code thing connects to race because of two closely related elements: Image and Marketing. Image has nothing to do with how well you actually play basketball. Does it matter to the game of basketball if LeBron has on a throwback jersey after a game if he just went for a triple-double? No. Does it matter to the business of basketball? It does if you are David Stern and hoping to create an image of a league that doesn't actually exist in reality. The reality is that players smoke weed, f*#k prostitutes, and engage in other forms of misconduct. You might be able to put that in a music video, but you can't really put that in a "I Love This Game" or "It's A Great Time Out" ad that you're trying to market to families. Stern is mandating an image that is in his mind the most marketable across the country. He doesn't feel that the hip-hop style of many of the league's players has the "positive" association that a tailored suit does. Also, in a league where the players are predominantly black males please don't mention the few white guys in the league and how they have had to deal with it. They're the exception, rather than the rule.

How come my damn picture won't show up, but the link is?

[IMG]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/rcantora/Tyrone_Hill.jpg[/IMG]

by Its Uglier Than Tyrone Hill For The Warriors Foes on Nov 15, 2006 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

signature

here's how it should look:

by Fantasy Junkie on Nov 16, 2006 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

one of the most ignorant rules in history

A total turnoff. Wearing a suit to a ballgame is dumber than dumb. When I see a guy in a suit I think pimp, christian nut at the door, sleazy salesman, funeral, trial. ALL not good! Stearn just doesn't get it. We are not impressed with the fancy clothes, instead think they look ridiculous. I'd rather see how the guys dress when they are free to express themselves, I'm not interested in how their mama dressed them for church when they were six.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 15, 2006 5:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

makes sense, but....

Agreed that the dress code rules will alienate a lot of the "core" fans. But Stern probably has to bow to more immediate constituents, like ABC-friendly advertisers.

Don't get us wrong, we still think it's wiggity wiggity wack. But it makes a little bit of "cents" in the short term.

by sunsgossip on Nov 15, 2006 5:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

speaking of...

the arena video editors... have u guys seen the vid that they show on the big screen before everygame like before the warriors starting lineup with the "one" and all that good stuff?

by cantfindanname on Nov 15, 2006 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Stern's new rules...

I think that the Dress Code was a necessary evil (most of these guys are multi-millionaires and since they are acting as the spokesmen for this great game we call the NBA, they SHOULD be properly attired during press conferences and when on the bench...) but the guidelines were a little too excessive (having to dress properly almost every NBA sponsored event? Just leave it to press conferences and on the bench... and the no gold chains rule attached to the dress code is just ignorant... I agree that there wasn't necessarily a racial issue regarding the whole dress code as everyone before was free to dress as they pleased, not just the minorities, but the no chains thing was directed towards those who belong to the Hip-Hop generation).

I think that the new ball changes the game but not by that much... missed shots aren't bouncing off the rim as high or far as they were with the leather ball but it is improving the players ability to grip/palm the ball... which should be a plus in many players books.

The banning of compression shorts and wristbands around the elbow is plain and simply unnecessary. I don't really understand why he made this one but it sure is dumb and unnecessary... it never hurt anyone to wear a wristband around your elbow or sleeves around your legs.

by mightymadskillz on Nov 15, 2006 6:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

c'mon..

The dress code was one of the most ignorant and racially motivated rules I've ever seen in professional sports

The dress code was implemented to attract new fans from business America. It wasn't a racially insensitive move, he was just trying to appeal to a different section of the country.

I agree the tights, etc are ridiculous, but you're going way over the top by claiming the dress code was a racist statement.

by reppin the bay on Nov 15, 2006 8:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whatzizit Chef ?

You cooking a crock of crap there? Why would a basketball player wearing a business suit be more attractive than a basketball player dressed like a normal person? How many fans do you know that dress like that when playing a game or want their sports players to dress like that? Who wants to watch an NBA of corporate shills? Not me, If it gets too bland I'll go to the playground instead.
Clothes do not make the man, JRich is JRich no matter what he's wearing. What I can't figure out is why do the players sign a contract that takes away their personal choices? and why do the sponsors put up with this? How many young spenders want to buy a business suit? but alot would buy what AI wears when AI is able to dress like AI.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 15, 2006 8:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry fellas

The dress code was saturated with racist undertones. It boils down to old white men trying to tell young black men how to dress.

Stern and corporate America (let's face it that's predominantly middle aged white folk) couldn't relate and felt threatened by the styles of dress that these young black males were sporting. Instead of trying to understand or even accept styles that were foreign to them, David Stern and the corporate audience the league is forever trying to accommodate, dictated what was acceptable and unacceptable forms of expression for these young black players.

You're kidding yourself if you think this is about Stern and corporate America trying to get guys like Brad Miller or Troy Murphy to tuck their shirts in and wear collared shirts. It's an attempt to get black atheletes like Allen Iverson to ditch the doo rags, retro jerseys, baggy jeans, and jewelry. It's about trying get package the league into a form that middle aged white people don't feel challenged by or feel uncomfortable consuming.

I will never understand the dress code or buy into it. Crooks can come in suits and good guys can sport baggy clothes and jewelry. It doesn't matter how you dress. It's all about who you are.

As you all have probably noticed I'm just a little bit of a hoops junkie. Guess what? My every day attire would get me some serious fines by the NBA and it's exactly the type that David Stern and his corporate audience seem to detest. I felt a serious slap in the face when the NBA criminalized my daily clothing. It seems like dumb marketing to reject and diss fans like myself.

By maintaining this blog, pumping out articles, etc I'm obviously helping the league market itself, basically for free and out of a love for the game. Why disrespect and reject fans like myself? We're one of the main reasons the NBA has seen so much green.

You don't have to agree with my assessment, but I stand by it.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 15, 2006 8:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dress Code Was Necessary

Its all about image and $$$$, not race. Please stop with the easy, one size fits all, "racist" label. Its not racist unless someone is doing it purely because of one's race.

Stern is hardly stupid. Look at what he's done for the NBA for the past 20 years. The average salary has gone from $200k/yr to probably $5M/yr. Franchise rights have gone skyward too. But whereas Shaq gets $25M/yr, Stern gets likely 8-10M.

Big question, Who pays for that $$$? Sorry its not Mr. Hip-Hop fan. Its corporations and high $$$ season ticket holders. Basketball is big because its fast-paced, indoors, and easy to understand. Those people do not want to see anything remotely close to gritty street wear more than absolutely necessary.

The Dress Code is merely business, catering to who's paying the freight. Guys don't want to comply? Go play in Europe, Asia, D-League, rec league. You cannot get the big $$$ and then refuse to play by the rules that allow the big $$$. Thinking otherwise is plain ignorant.

Nothing better than "The City".

by philsmith75 on Nov 15, 2006 8:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

dress code

Excellent comments. When you are on the bench, or at NBA related events, you are representing a company. The company requires that you look "business casual" to some extent, and I don't see the problem with it.
If I'm working for a Fortune 500 company I'm sure as hell not allowed to show up in a Tim Hardaway throwback, in fact I'd probably be dismissed, pink slip in hand.
These are grown men making a lot of money for themselves and for a company. When they're at work so to speak, they should dress accordingly. When you're at the club, or hanging out with friends you can dress for that occasion.

I do have a problem with the no-chains rule though. That's plain "ignant"!!

by goldenstatefan on Nov 16, 2006 3:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ridiculous... and that video

the dress code is absolutely ridiculous. these are grown men, why do you need to tell them how to dress. that is just insane.
anyway, that Jrich vid is off the chain. it had me almost in tears. i'm confident in my manhood and i ain't afraid to say it, man i love jrich. watching him play (when he isn't limping around...get right soon jason) is a great thrill, we are lucky as fans to get to see him compete 82 (more or less) times a year.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Nov 15, 2006 9:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Its about the money

How many fans do you know that dress like that when playing a game

None, the dress code doesn't make you wear a suit when you're playing the game.

The dress code is about making money off of new fans.

by reppin the bay on Nov 16, 2006 7:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't get me wrong though

I agree the dress code is ridiculous, but its just marketing strategy.

by reppin the bay on Nov 16, 2006 7:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dress Code

Honestly, why should we really care how players wear their attires from the bench? The 'basketball' game is all about action ON the court, not off of it.

There is very little point for you and all kids to follow what players dress off court, seriously, because very few players know how to dress right. Anyone in one of those celebrities magazine can dress nicer than 80% of players in this league. Players are not fashion models.

I am OK with a dress code but personally, I have never understood why players are wearing 'team-related attires', like a jacket, on the bench as opposed to business casual. These are basketball players for crying out loud. Although these business suits do make players look 'professional' and I guess that's what Stern wants.

And I hate it when people tried to spin this into some sort of racial issues. There's no prove for that and only people who are overly sensitive will relate these to racism.

by MightyReds2020 on Nov 16, 2006 7:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hip Hop

I think one of the reasons the dress code was put in to play was due to teams being Co-Owned by hip hop stars (Jay-z, Nelly? (I could be very wrong but I think Nelly has something to do with the Bobcats)

With Hip Hop stars co-owning these teams I think the commish had to put a dress code in effect before it got out of hand with every player wearing & basically endorsing the gear of their owners. Although a suit with Sean Carter allover print wouldnt look to bad...(pause) NOT..up here HI FIVE!

Thats my fitty cent...outro

by WhoreRIORS on Nov 16, 2006 10:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why it's racist

First off, Chef, Not ragging on you, I love your cookin. Now, Does anyone know how much the NBA makes off tickets versus TV rights? and how much the sponsors make from selling branded merchandise? My guess is that the corporate minded fans are not the biggest part of the pie.
And anyone who's ever played know basketball is a gritty game, sweat,tears and sometimes blood, it has nothing to do with a business suit? corporate america has it's place and the street has it's place. They can come and watch our game on our terms. Think about what you like about the game and most of that came from the street, and I like the player to reflect that! I wanna see how they really feel not how the commish wants them to feel!!
And, It's a subtle form of slavery, can't own the man so you try to own his soul. Many players come from the poor side and when one makes it they are telling him that suddenly his family an friends are not acceptable? His whole past was a disgrace? Not good enough for the fuckinNBA? What kinda message is that for the young fans? How many of them are gonna be that one in a million that MAKE it? and how many are gonna be still living the unacceptable to the NBA life? You wanna ruin a franchise fast just destroy it's connection to the street and it's toast.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 16, 2006 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dress code

Most here act as if this dress code is to be followed at all times. No one soul is trying to be owned here. These players can dress how ever they want to on their time,but during games and press conferences aren't thier time. It's the NBA's and team owners time. When you go to Best Buy you don't go for the way the employees are dressed,but what they have to sale you. But this dress code makes it look as if they've got thier sh#@ together. When I played b-ball in high school,on game day we wore a tie to school and away games(on the bus and into the locker room). This was because we represented our school and team and not ourselves. During games and press coferences these play represnt their team and the league not themselves.

by Psion on Nov 16, 2006 2:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

SLAM

hinted at the dress code/NBA Cares initiatives in your face 24/7 was from higher ups giving D.Stern an ultimatum.

This was implemented one year after the "Malice in the Palace," and that defintely had some play in the decision.

They've had to reshape their whole image as a league after such an incident, as we all remember.

I can't imagine how many phonecalls David Stern got that fateful night, and who held the proverbial "gun to his head" to get him to make immediate changes.

And SLAM also shot back at Phil Jackson who said "players shouldn't be coming to work in prison garb," with 'did anyone remember how he dressed as a player? He shouldn't be giving fashion advice when he used to wear hippie shirts and bad jeans.' Or something to that effect.

Not direct quotes.