Posted on 10/20/2005 2:04:43 PM PDT by Smogger
Duncan, according to a report in The San Antonio Express-News, joined the Indiana Pacers' Stephen Jackson with not-so-kind words for commissioner David Stern's dress-up policy.
"I think it's a load of crap," Duncan said. "I understand what they're trying to do with the hats and do-rags and jerseys and stuff. That's fine. But I don't understand why they would take it to this level. I think it's basically retarded.
"I don't like the direction they're going, but who am I?"
Duncan, a two-time NBA MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP, did not play in Tuesday night's 94-81 exhibition loss to the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. He wore what The Express-News called his typical injured-list wardrobe: jeans and a dress shirt.
However, an NBA spokesman said Duncan would have to tuck his shirt in once the regular season starts and the policy goes into effect.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
They have defined working as going to and from games, and talking to the media.
I think the players should have self-respect on their own, but I don't like the idea of telling someone how to dress when they aren't working (playing basketball), or how they can dress if they are injured but go to the game to cheer their teams on.
I'll admit part of what bothers me, has to do with a story Pat Riley tells about one year where he coached the lakers versus the celtics in a championship game, and he felt he cost his team the championship that year by making his lakers wear suits to and from the game. (It was a record breaking year in terms of heat in boston, the celtic players wore t-shirts and shorts).
Well, I'm certainly not worked up about it. From what I hear, the code says pants and a collared shirt. Oh, the humanity!
Both of those are part of their jobs.
So anywhere there is a camera and when they aren't working (i.e. playing basketball).
Its none of the leagues business how these players dress to and from the game, as long as they do their job and play the game.
Even better, if a player is injured but goes to root for his team by going to the game, he has to be in dress code, this is one case where Duncan is right to call the policy "retarded".
Team business is being pushed to the point where the league can easily step in and tell them what to wear on an airplane.
Either way, the teams should have been doing this, not the league.
I'd be screaming inappropriateness, but I also know that I can't tell her what to do on her own time.
I also know I can't tell her how to dress when she isn't at work, just as my boss can't tell me how to dress on the way to work and back.
Unlike the NBA, I'm not in a union, I'm actually surprised the union hasn't stepped into this yet.
David Robinson might not have liked the dress code either, though his background as a graduate of Anapolis would have made it more platable, but he certainly would have expressed it better than this unflattering quote. I expected better from Tim Duncan.
But he plays one on tv...
For your approval, again -- my modest proposal to improve the image of the NBA.
Stern asnnounces that ten years from this date the league will no longer hire any new players with visible tattoos. Players under contract at that time will not be affected. The ten year delay is to allow the young bucks to think about what they want to do with their lives ( and to protect against the hideous lawyers who would certainly jump on this one.) Comments??!?
Last time I checked their jobs were playing basketball.
Not being spokepersons.
And they ain't to good at either jobs.
I'm not either, I disagree with the idea of the league setting policy when it should be the teams.
I also think it hurts the game at certain times of year and in certain cities.
I think life's too short to worry about it.
Incredibly stupid.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.