Wesley Morris wrote an article concerning NBA players and their dress. His first comment is about Kevin Durant and his "nerdy" dress that he wears to a press conference and even provides a picture. Morris points out that athletes used to dress like they just threw on whatever, but now they dress more professionally. He later compares a black athlete dressing nerdy to having a black president. Most NBA players have ''cleaned" up their dress, but some, especially the NBA celebrities, have taken it to a whole level. Morris compares the "nerdy" dress to that of Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, an accurate comparison at that. And at first glance, Carlton and those who acted like him at the time, were weird and ostracized. But taking a another look at this, Carlton is actually someone that should, in a way, be looked up to. Like Will Smith did. Morris talks about how with Carlton's impression of being nerdy also came the impression of being gay, and pointed out the press conference with Dwight Howard. He ends it saying that there is a radical change to this sport, it that there is no more "normal".
In my opinion, the idea of dressing up for a public press conference is a good idea, but some of the stars have taken it to a whole new level. Whether they're doing it to try and inspire a new trend or they're just being smart asses, it's being noticed. The fact that big name stars such as LeBron, Kevin Durant, and Dwight Howard are making such an extreme means that there will be a change in the future.
They way people dress definitely has a lasting impression on those who first meet you. Although humans are creatures with higher thinking than other animals, we still have a primal instinct of us that causes us to judge by appearance. So if someone were to wear lounging clothes or "gangster" wear, they wouldn't be taken seriously in most instances besides lounging around. On the other end of the spectrum, if one were to wear a suit or clothes one would wear to church, they would be taken seriously. If the NBA celebrities are trying to come off as jack-asses, they're doing a good job. I understand that they may be trying to get a message out that a way someone dresses shouldn't be the deciding factor of how they're viewed, but that's the way it is right now. Now, if the players are trying to get a trend started by making "nerdy" popular, they will probably succeed to some extent. I understand that some things are purely fashion accessories that have no real use, like a backwards ball cap, or earrings/other piercings, and even lens-less glasses, but the backpack Kevin Durant wore was a stupid touch.
Changing the opinion of the masses isn't impossible, but it's unlikely to do when it is attempted to do so quickly. The Rise of the NBA Nerd will have spread out opinions. Some will like it and start following the "new" trend. Other's might think it is stupid/ goofy and the players need to care about their actual appearance more. And the rest will just not care.
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