ESPN Insider: 4/05/06 - NBA Tights/Panty-Hose Edition

[Evilmav2]

League would amend uniform code to ban tights

By Darren Rovell and Marc Stein
ESPN.com

After instituting a "business casual" dress code and cracking down on the length of uniform shorts, the NBA has identified its next fashion crusade.

League and team sources have told ESPN.com that the NBA, starting next season, intends to ban the tights sported at various points this season by several players, including three MVP candidates: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Although NBA officials are not publicly commenting on the issue, sources say that the league simply does not like the look of players wearing visible hose. It's believed that the league office, which already has regulations in place to curtail short lengths, can unilaterally outlaw tights by simply amending its uniform code before the 2006-07 season.

Sources say that the NBA informed its 30 teams at last month's competition committee meeting in Houston that tights would be banned immediately after All-Star Weekend. But the league wound up holding off on that ban, perhaps to avoid a new controversy after the initial furor sparked by the off-court dress code faded quickly and quietly.

Players who wish to wear tights are required to send the league a written request from a team doctor detailing a "medical need" for the leggings. That's because the league, according to sources, believes that some players are merely wearing them because they like the look.

Yet there are numerous players who insist that wearing full-length spandex under their uniform shorts keeps limbs warmer and looser than anything seen previously in the NBA. Dallas Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse is widely seen as the pioneer of this practice, relying on a pair of runners' tights throughout last season's playoffs to combat a longstanding groin injury.

"I'm a 100-percent advocate," Stackhouse said.

That's why the 11-year veteran felt compelled to call NBA vice president Stu Jackson directly after learning of the forthcoming ban upon returning from the All-Star break. Stackhouse bristles at the notion that he's merely trying to be fashionable, pointing out that he has worn tights to every behind-closed-doors practice and shootaround until expectedly shedding them in Dallas' past three games.

"I've had a couple groin injuries and they help me get comfortable," Stackhouse said. "I wear thigh sleeves, too, and the tights also help keep them from sliding down my legs. They just hold everything together.

"When I talked to Stu, he was sympathetic. They don't want to be the ones causing guys to get hurt. But I don't know what the end result is going to be. I get the feeling they think it's some fashion statement or culture statement. It's really not. I'm just trying to take every preventative measure that I can."

Said Mavericks team physician T.O Souryal: "The tights provide compression. Compressed muscles fire efficiently, especially if injured. Players with muscle strains benefit from the improved circulation and support."

The sight of tights on an NBA player has inevitably been mocked by some -- Denver's Marcus Camby chastised peers for wearing "pantyhose" -- but became more commonplace this season after Bryant unveiled his leggings in November. James wore them briefly as well in January after injuring his knee, but the Cleveland star hasn't been seen in spandex for more than 25 games ... in part because he grew weary of answering so many questions about them. Bryant has since decided to play tights-free in the Los Angeles Lakers' past five games.

But Wade still wears them in Miami and so does New Jersey's Vince Carter. The team most devoted to the concept is Milwaukee, with five everyday tights-wearers after Joe Smith tried them first: Andrew Bogut, Toni Kukoc, Michael Redd and Maurice Williams in addition to Smith.

Bogut recently told the Associated Press: "I don't like how it looks, but I don't play basketball for looks."

Smith told the AP: "It's something to keep you warm. It keeps my knee from swelling up, keeps some tightness around it so it won't blow up on me when I'm out there. It's meant a lot to me."

More than five percent of the league's players have worn tights at some stage during the season, including five of its top 10 leading scorers. At least eight players that have worn tights this year -- including Bryant, James, Redd and Carter -- are Nike-sponsored athletes, and the shoe giant now sells a "pro basic" pair of tights for $35 and a "pro thermal" pair for $50.

Stackhouse, though, supplies his own tights and has been since he came up with the idea almost a year ago.

"If they ban 'em," Stackhouse said, "I'll find something else."

Tight wearers

The following NBA players have been spotted wearing tights this season:

• Ray Allen, Seattle
• Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee
• Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
• Vince Carter, New Jersey
• Eddy Curry, New York
• Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia
• Allen Iverson, Philadelphia
• LeBron James, Cleveland
• Toni Kukoc, Milwaukee
• Rashad McCants, Minnesota
• Michael Redd, Milwaukee
• Joe Smith, Milwaukee
• Jerry Stackhouse, Dallas
• Nick Van Exel, San Antonio
• Dwyane Wade, Miami
• Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
• Chris Webber, Philadelphia
• Bonzi Wells, Sacramento
• Jason Williams, Miami
• Mo Williams, Milwaukee

Darren Rovell covers sports business for ESPN.com and Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.
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SportsNation Marc Stein: Hello, all. Let's get to it.

Minnesota Chats: Are both of the Kevins going to be back next season? I'm hoping for only one Kevin . . . and it ain't McHale.

SportsNation Marc Stein: Good handle. Got you to the front of the queue.

SportsNation Marc Stein: As covered extensively in the Weekend Dime, it's my understanding that Garnett is just as reluctant to be dealt as the Wolves are reluctant to entertain the thought of moving him. So I fully expect Garnett to be back next season. As for McHale, it's also my understanding that the only way he leaves his post is if he chooses to walk away. Longtime Wolves-watchers tell me that owner Glen Taylor will not fire him. Relations between the Kevins have turned undeniably frosty in the past year, but it's still not Garnett's style to push for McHale's ouster. So I expect both Kevins in place when the new season begins. Sorry to disappoint.

Marco, New York, NY: Now that the Hughes is ready to play for the Cavaliers, can they realistically shake up the playoff picture if they get past the first round of the playoffs?

SportsNation Marc Stein: I just can't see it, even LeBron has pitched his game to a new level since I saw him in Dallas in mid-March. With the Suns and Mavs fading a bit and Billups sharing the spotlight with so many other good Pistons and with Wade's brilliance offset by the indifference of teammates around him, LBJ is making a legit MVP charge here in the stretch run. If the Cavs get to 50 wins, he's got a real shot at it. BUT ... having said all that I'd still be surprised to see the Cavs get out of the first round. The star and the coach will be on the big stage for the first time and it's a different game in the playoffs no matter what anybody says. If it's Washington or Indy, Cavs would have to go up another level just to get to Round 2.

Justin (Cleveland, OH): Stein, when was the last time you saw a game where two mega stars were going back and fourth like Lebron and Wade were on Saturday? Do you think these two could be the next Dominique vs. Jordan or Larry vs. Magic?

SportsNation Marc Stein: 'Nique and Jordan are the guys that came to mind. On Saturday night's NBA Fastbreak, we spent the first five minutes of the show just showing them go back and forth. It was the longest highlight from one game that I can remember.

Sam (LA): Did the Hall of Fame selection commitee get it right this time?

SportsNation Marc Stein: I really don't want to waste too much time talking about the Basketball Hall of Fame. History shows that it somehow works against you to have NBA success. We don't know who's voting. We don't know how these voting committees are assembled. We don't know anything about the process. Until there's an NBA Hall of Fame or a new voting process, we should just move on. 'Nique and Dumars weren't first-ballot Hall of Famers? Enough said.

Tyler (Sac, CA): Word is Mavs are in the hunt for a big. Who might they try to pick up?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Don't forget that the Mavs have already applied to the league for a hardship exception -- when they first lost Howard, Harris, Van Horn and Griffin -- and were denied. I don't expect them to be granted an exception now, either, which means they won't be able to sign anyone without waiving someone from the current roster.

Jon (Canada): How would the ROY race look if Paul wasn't around?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Really, really ugly. Remember that year Mike Miller won Rookie of the Year, averaging like 14 a game? It would be uglier than that. Villanueva and Felton have had their moments, but Paul is the only impact player in Year 1.

Derreck (Veneta, OR): Marc, with the Portland situation in total disarray, who is the front runner for Kiki's services this summer?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Portland is in such disarray that I struggle to imagine who would want that job. Kiki obviously has strong Blazer ties and he's probably going to be looking for a new job at season's end, but unless you have assurances from Paul Allen that he's not looking to sell and will spend like he used to, why go there? It's a question Nate McMillan must ask himself occasionally.

mark (san antonio, tx): How big of an impact will the suspensions every 2 technicals be for Rasheed be once he gets into the playoffs? Also do you think that he will cool down knowing that he will be suspended for the technicals?

SportsNation Marc Stein: You're forgetting that the slate gets wiped clean when the playoffs start and he'd need seven Ts to get a suspension in the post-season. If Sheed can stay under 20 Ts in an 82-game season, I'm betting he can stay under seven in the playoffs.

Saleem, Philly: Do you think Carmelo has closed the gap between him & Wade & LBJ? Melo has taken his game to superstar level this year and has as complete an offensive game as anyone.

SportsNation Marc Stein: Yes. The four best players from the '03 are all sick. This is something else we tackled on Saturday night's NBA Fastbreak. If you did the 2003 draft over again, who's your top five? I can make the case that Bosh should go second because he's a franchise 7-footer. But that moves Wade down to three and 'Melo down to four, which doesn't feel right. They're all so good. If you surveyed GMs, LeBron would still go No. 1. But after that, I'm sure Wade, 'Melo and Bosh would all get some votes at No. 2.

SportsNation Marc Stein: As for No. 5, I'd go with Chris Kaman over Josh Howard. Once again, tie goes to the 7-footer.

Marc Stein (Austin, TX): Hey we have the same name! Duncan is playing more aggressively as of late. Do you think this bodes well for the Spurs' championship hopes or do you think it is a result of poor competition?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Lucky you (if this isn't a hoax). I spent some time with the Spurs last week and Duncan's teammates say he's moving better. That's more important than the numbers, which have also picked up.

Brian TX: With all the raving about a great game between LeBron and Wade, has everyone forgotten about the game last year featuring TMac and Dirk goin at it? And then the follow up in the playoffs? Is this more east coast bias?

SportsNation Marc Stein: You're right. What's even worse . . . I was at that T-Mac/Dirk game. I must be getting old.

SportsNation Marc Stein: You're right about everything except for the East Coast bias part. For the umpteenth time, this is my 13th season covering the NBA . . . 12 of which I've lived in a Western Conference city.

Kirk Hinrich: So I don't go before Chris Kaman? What?

SportsNation Marc Stein: No you don't. TIE . . . GOES . . . TO . . . THE . . . 7-FOOTER.

Steve L.A.: What do you think if things remain the same with the playoff seedings, the lakers can beat the suns

SportsNation Marc Stein: I think Kobe is going to be very, very tired after that series. Lots of running. And Phoenix wins it in five.

Dan (DC): 2nd round, Phoenix vs. Denver -- who do you pick? I like Denver's odds -- Patterson & Evans can slow down Phoenix's offense enough to keep them in the game, and Marion can't defend Camby, Martin, & Melo all at the same time. I think Denver's size gives them a slight advantage, although it should be a great series. Your thoughts?

SportsNation Marc Stein: I am picking Phoenix to get to the West finals with or without Amare. But the Suns have shown some signs of fatigue lately. Denver will try to rough them up and the Nuggets' physicality gives them a shot. But the Nuggets are a running team, too, and no one runs better than the Suns.

HArvey (dallas, Tx): Don't you think that this Mavs team is better than the 2003 conference finals team that might've made the finals if dirk didnt go down in game 3 against San Antonio

SportsNation Marc Stein: I don't. I liked the '03 team better. But sadly this team doesn't look like it's going to be healthy enough in the playoffs to take their best shot at refuting the argument.

Mike (Milwaukee): Marc - if you an NBA GM right now, who would you rather have, Bogut or Darko?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Good one. Very good one. I want to say Darko, because you know I love the lefties, but I can't. Bogut has a lot of the same skills and has proven to be a better competitor. Until Darko gets consistent with his effort and intensity, there will still be questions. But I reserve the right to change this answer is Darko's recent flurries are not just a mirage. I can assure you lots of GMs are still intrigued by him.

Roy, St. Paul: Do you really think Joakim Noah is a lottery pick?

SportsNation Marc Stein: I think you need to ask Chad Ford this question. But I do have to thank Mr. Noah. Seeing UCLA crowned as national champions, after what happened to my Titans this season, would have been too much to take.

SportsNation Marc Stein: I also think I need to hit the road to get to Kings shootaround. Thanks for all the questions. We'll do it against next week, but we're moving to Monday for the next two weeks.