NBA N'Style

Insight on the News, June 18, 2001

From Armani-clad coaches to, well, Armani-clad players, there's no question the National Basketball Association (NBA) is the most fashion-forward of the pro leagues. And as the recent headband craze makes clear, sartorial trends don't stop at the sideline. Insight examines some of the league's past and present looks:

BAGGY SHORTS

A much-welcome reaction to short shorts that dominated the 1970s, they took silly when dropped to midcalf level.

Hall of Fame: Michael Jordan, whose relatively baggy look influenced an entire generation of college ballplayers. sparing us the horror of Shaquille O'Neal crotch shots.

Hall of Shame: The Minnesota Timberwolves, fined a total of $37,500 in 1997 for wearing their shorts too long.

SHAVED HEADS

The chrome-dome look swept through the league in the 1990s, KO'ing the horrendous high fade in the process.

Hall of Fame: Jordan, the man who made bald cool (but what's with the porn-style minimustache?).

Hall of Shame: (Tie) Superagent David Falk, who really ought to know better; wrinkly scalped soon-to-be NBA'er Shane Battier, who, in the words of a friend, "is so smart he wears his brain on the outside of his head."

CORNROWS

The current hot look -- will it have staying power?

Hall of Fame: Latrell Sprewell, who, like Kareem, spun his hairstyle into endorsement dollars.

Hall of Shame: (Tie) New York's Kurt Thomas, who just looks dumb; Chris Webber, who sported the look for about half a game in March; WNBA'er Rebecca Lobo -- for the love of God, why?

TATTOOS

Iverson once called them "addictive." Apparently, the league is full of junkies.

Hall of Fame: Dennis Rodman, who can fit a few more on his eyelids; Portland's Damon Stoudamire, whose "Mighty Mouse" tat is a thumb in the eye to Mickey.

Hall of Shame: (Tie) New York's Marcus Camby, whose Chinese tats regrettably don't include the character for General Tso's chicken; the NBA, for airbrushing Iverson's tattoos on the cover of Hoop magazine.