So, the NBA has instituted a "business casual" dress code for players while on team or league business. The minute I heard about this I started mentally calculating how long it would be before someone claimed that such a dress code was "racist". It took about a week. Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson (pictured on the left) has specifically complained about the fact that the new dress code bans chains worn over clothing:

"I think it's a racist statement because a lot of the guys who are wearing chains are my age and are black," said Jackson, 27. "I wore all my jewelry today to let it be known that I'm upset with it.

"I'll wear a suit every day. I think we do need to look more professional because it is a business. A lot of guys have gotten sloppy with the way they dress. But it's one thing to [enforce a] dress code and it's another thing if you're attacking cultures, and that's what I think they're doing."

Unfortunately for those eager to play the race card, the NBA dress code does not just ban young black guys from wearing chains. And, it's not just young, black fashion that's banned. Players can't dress like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (pictured at right) either.

As the brilliant Michael Wilbon pointed out today on Mike & Mike in the Morning, the NBA let itself be turned into the "hip hop" league after Michael Jordan's departure. Unfortunately for them, hip hop doesn't pay the bills and its appeal is fast fading with those who do pony up for basketball: the networks and marketers. To appeal to a broader audience, basketball players are going to have to change their image from playas to something more family friendly.

For the most part, NBA players are acting like huge babies. I can't wear whatever I want to at work. I'm not allowed to unconditionally express myself while on the job. That's one of the things normal people sacrifice for a paycheck. Welcome to the world of being a grown up. Although, I will give Milwaukee Bucks guard T.J. Ford a bit of a pass:

Ford often wore jewelry while seated on the Bucks bench last year, when he sat out the entire season due to a spinal cord injury. "The only thing I have a problem with is the jewelry," the third-year pro said. "I have a lot of jewelry to wear, and now you really can't wear your chains to the gym.

Heh. While I'm irritated that these extremely well paid men bitch about having to wear a suit from time to time, I can sympathize with Ford's problem. The poor guy is all dressed up with nowhere to go!