Ron Artest’s Best Fashion Moments
It's an understatement to say that Ron Artest is not your average NBA player. You may not enjoy his on-court and off-court antics, but he's without question authentic and more often than not, memorable. Ron's self-confessed crazy seems to trickle down to his wardrobe at times, especially when he's a guest on late night television shows. If the clothes make the man, what does RonRon's wardrobe say about him?
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For his most recent late night appearance on Larry King, Ron's wardrobe gave the impression of a slightly more grown up version of the Lakers' defensive specialist. He wore a slightly over-sized navy suit and white shirt with a paisley tie that looks like it comes from the Craig Sager collection. Is Artest changing his style? Was it because he wanted Mr. King and the CNN audience to take what he was saying more seriously? After all, he is auctioning off his championship ring to help to mental health. And, of course, he was plugging his rap career. During his chat with Larry, I had to contemplate on where this outfit ranked on Ron's greatest late night garbs. Take a look, and let me know what you think.
RonRon is a regular on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Los Angeles-based late night talk show. (It should also be noted that Kimmel airs on ABC - the parent company to NBA broadcaster, ESPN). For his most recent visit with Jimmy before the season began, Ron went as random as possible: fake beard, cowboy hat, a t-shirt advertising his iPhone app, compression shorts, a sling backpack and socks with slippers. I really have not much to say about his outfit other than it was a disaster of epic yet entertaining proportions. You can't fault a man who also promotes his product - how many players actually wear their ap on their uhm, chest?
When the Lakers won the NBA championship last season, it was only fitting that they went on Jimmy Kimmel to celebrate. While the rest of his teammates took the opportunity to dress well but, Ron not surprisingly, skewed far too casual....bed time, casual. Ron wear a pair of Lakers' coloured argyle print pants, a Sports Enemy LA Rifle logo tee, a pair of black and yellow Nike Dunk High's and a Starwood Hotel's black hat. Instead of accessorizing with a more suitable item, like a watch or ring, Ron went straight to the BlueTooth headset. Does the man not understand he has voicemail on his phone? His excuse was pure Artest: "I didn't go to bed yet...I need to shower baaaad". Ron is repping his new home but he stays straight out of the hood, or maybe on the way to the grocery store with this look. The ensemble made an interesting compliment to Kobe Bryant's futuristic and Rick Ownes' designer jacket and shades. But it could be worse.
Chelsea Handler was another stop on the championship train for RonRon. She's known for her brutal sense of humor and love of chocolate (not the food). While Ron was excited about his new ring, he acted as though he wanted to put that ring on Ms. Handler's finger. His very bright patterned pants were covered in Chelsea's face, but why? “Well you know, I’ve been trying to get into your pants for a long time and I heard you were playing hard to get, so I had to put you on my pants“. She responded “Well you heard wrong because I am easy to get“. An entertaining interview, to say the least. Perhaps he also left his shoes at home so he could be even closer to Chelsea's small stature. The printed shirt is also ridiculous with the pants - although anything he wore would have clashed. It certainly made for an interesting interview and introduction for the two.
The most memorable of all Ron Artest's late night ensembles is without question, his boxers only appearance on Kimmel. Obviously, Artest is a favorite of Kimmel (with good reason) and I'm sure he gained more female fans with this wardrobe choice (malfunction?). Artest is the only athlete who could come out in only his underwear and fans wouldn't question his intent. He's always so enthusiastic and loves to entertain, so we can all sit back and enjoy his personality. Obviously he's just as open with his personality and mind as he is with his body! There's not a whole to say about this look as there isn't much to it garment wise, but nice boxers?
I would like to see Artest wear more of what he sported at Lamar and Khloe Kardashian's Odom's wedding. The black pinstripe suit fits him well and is classic, while the backwards New Era hat and loose tie screams that he's still the kid from Queensbridge. Personal style is all about showing yourself through your clothes and how you present yourself. I think this look is the perfect balance between the Los Angeles ball player and the New York guy from the "hood". Ron is proud of his roots and I don't think he should ever deny it or stop being himself. Keep thanking your psychiatrist, stealing Wheaties' boxes and guarding opposing players with your life, RonRon - just please, if you feel like doing it in better fabrics and in a well-fitting clothes - call me. I promise not to dress you in leather or fur, as I know you're a PETA spokeperson as well. Your signature style deserves to be as on point as your enthusiasm for life and the game of basketball.
Championship Time
Who doesn't want to be like Mike? For the most part, the average fan can afford to buy his Jordan shoes, wear his Hanes' t-shirts and drink his Gatorade. But what if you could own a personalized gift from MJ? If you have a spare $16,250 kicking around, you could be telling time like a champion in yellow gold.
Earlier this month, a Paltek Phillippe Calatrava model wristwatch that belonged to former Bulls assistant coach Tex Winter sold well above its $12,000 estimated value at Sotheby's "Important Watches and Clocks" auction in New York. The watch was a gift from Jordan to Winter after the Bulls won the 1997-1998 championship - MJ's last ring. It was purchased on Christmas Eve, 1997 (such foresight). The back plate of the watch is inscribed with "Thanks, MJ" and went up for auction after Winter suffered a stroke last year. The watch is 18 karat gold and a similar model today costs between $14,000 and $18,000 - without Michael's magic touch.
For those unfamiliar, Tex Winter is the innovator of the triangle offense, while Phil Jackson perfected it. Winter earned nine rings alongside Jackson with the Bulls and the Lakers. He rose prominence perfecting the triangle offense at Kansas State University and coached at Marquette, Northwestern, Long Beach State and Washington.
His Airness even mentioned Winter during his retirement speech in 2001, "...Tex Winter probably [was] the most [important teacher], because he was probably the one that would criticize my game more than anybody. To me that's a plus, that's a driving force for me." Definitely a rare piece of history for the greatest Jordan fan. No word if LeBron or Kobe bought it as championship motivation as the buyer bought it by phone. Would you spend roughly the cost of down-payment on house on an accessory? What would MJ do?
Brett Favre is comfortable in Wrangler...for now.
Brett Favre is the everyman athlete, who at the age of forty-one, seems to have accomplished all he can in the game of football. His off-field conduct is very average joe, but with the recent sexual harassment allegations and photographic evidence involving former Jets' sideline girl, Jenn Sterger, Favre is risking more than developing a bad reputation. Members of the media are comparing the alleged dirty text messages and voicemails to Tiger Woods' and his many mistresses and extramarital sexual conduct. Brett's alleged actions involve a colleague who felt uncomfortable with his advances, so the situation qualifies as sexual harassment, and not a consensual act. Is this Favre's only transgression as a professional athlete and will his legacy now be a dirty old man and not a gritty, iron man quarterback? Favre's image is of a simple, family man with a decent sense of humour in his endorsement deals (Wrangler, Mastercard, Sears, Prilosec) but will the public's perception of Favre change for the worst? Should he continue to shill brands in his Southern drawl despite allegations?
During Monday Night Football on October 11th, Favre reached another milestone in his career: touchdown number five hundred. The broadcast team tried to focus on his on-field performance and not make any ill-conceived purple helmet remarks. However, stateside it was hard for viewers to concentrate on Brett Favre's game as his television spots for Wrangler jeans were airing during almost every commercial break. Many thought it was a joke rather than bad timing. The one question all over Twtiter was whether Brett Favre will continue to stay comfortable in Wrangler indefinitely. Wranger presents itself as a company that's simple, hardworking and family friendly. A cheating quarterback leaving scandalous voicemails and sending comprising naked photos to a younger woman while his wife recovers from cancer is not the best example of a role model. But how many Wrangler customers find Favre's behaviour an issue? Does his target market care or can they relate? The coverage of Favre's photos is so overblown but even in a sports newsroom where I work, most of my co-workers didn't go looking for the pictures or wear Wrangler jeans. Also, since the photos could be of someone else, Favre is innocent until proven guilty.
- Brett Favre sporting his #4 in Packers' green and yellow.
The biggest determining factor in whether or not Favre stays in his Wrangler's is how he chooses to respond to the allegations and media enquiries. As of now, Wrangler representatives are staying on sidelines but issued the following statement to Women's Wear Daily, "We are following the story like everyone else. We are not making any major decisions on our marketing program until more information is available.” Wrangler is playing it smart. They don't want to risk ruining the image of their brand with the new spokesmodel and marketing campaign. Favre continues as the face of the brand, because he is a well-known face and all-American brand. He still wears his original Packers' colourway faded t-shirt in many of the advertisements as an example of how long he's been a Wrangler man.
- Once a jeans' man...always a jeans' man.
After the Monday Night Football game, Favre addressed the media, but made it clear he only wanted to discuss football. The best remedy for Favre is to apologize, move on and hopefully settle with both affected parties: his wife, Deana and Jenn Sterger. Whether or not he did it, he needs to make sure that he does not let it define his legacy by confronting it quickly, preferably quietly, and moving on. If Favre continues to ignore the situation, like Tiger did for so long, it will only add fuel to the fire and he has yet to confirm nor deny the allegations. Tiger's sponsors did not know what to believe, so the uncertainty of Tiger and his play in the PGA, outweighed the product placement. Tiger was insincere and overly guarded in his press conference and while I dread another press conference from Favre; a teary, short and apologetic press conference in his Southern drawl could win fans and sponsors back. Favre needs to highlight his best attributes as an athlete and a man by being heartfelt, passionate, simply spoken and of course, emotional. He is the everyman gifted athlete, and in the modern-day many people can relate to an "aww shucks" moment with a mobile phone. If Deana Favre stands by her man, that will only help the Brett brand.
- A moment in Favre infamy: the first retirement press conference.
I don't expect Wrangler will officially announce a decision until after Favre addresses the situation and NFL commissioner Roger Goddell weigh in. The safest thing for Wrangler to do would be to decrease their television budget starting now, then re-air or even re-shoot new commercials once the sexual harassment situation and the Deadspin daily posts die down. After all, no rumor lasts forever. One silver lining is that Crocs, the now infamous footwear that Favre sports in the mobile phone photos, recently reached profits of a billion dollars. Perhaps he can drum up a new endorsement deal with the company or even a mobile phone company if Wrangler abandons Favre. However, as long as the public believes that Grandpa Brett has learnt his lesson, his endorsement deals will continue to be a success.
Hit or Miss: Brian Wilson's Man-scaping Story
The playoff beard is nothing new in hockey, but in the MLB, it's still a new sensation. I really took notice of Giants' closer Brian Wilson's interesting man-scaping situation during the Giants vs. Braves National League Divisional Series. It's an understatement to say his beard and haircut combination is unique, especially considering the usual grooming standard in professional baseball. But is it a little too much for Bud Selig and the MLB?
To break down Wilson's man-scaping, let's start with his haircut. Wilson sports a modified mohawk. It's not short and amateurish like we've seen on the Tampa Bay Rays, but rather it's more mullet-esque in length and a little dirt bag in its styling. Contrary to popular belief - the mohawk is his natural light brown colour, no bleach or dye.
Wilson started growing the beard back in August and kept in its natural brunette state for the summer. When the playoff push in September hit, he dyed it pitch black (although he won't openly admit it). It's now a dark, thick beard that any grisly lumberjack or hockey player would be envious of come playoff season. Fans are turning the scruff into a cult figure by sporting faux beards and signs and even re-jigged the Milwaukee Bucks' "FEAR THE DEER" cheer into, naturally, "FEAR THE BEARD". Apparently the man-scaping isn't serious business for the MLB regular season save leader:
"I'm just rocking a beard, keeping it fun," Wilson said. "I had a beard in 2007, but I had to shave it because I got sent down. I just never grew it back. I just said it was bad luck. Not this year. I wouldn't say the beard got us here, but I wore it here." (From Janine McCauley's CP piece).
Wilson's original take on grooming isn't the only thing that makes him stand out in the clubhouse as his overall sartorial sense is not standard. In Wilson's appearance in the 2010 All-Star Game this year, he wore a pair of bright creamsicle orange cleats and again versus Florida Marlins the next game.
His shoes were obviously not regulation and thanks to Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez's complaints, the National League fined Wilson for one thousand dollars for "wearing non-conforming shoes and was told that half of each shoe had to be black". Damn. Wilson says the fine was for "being too awesome", not for disobeying dresscode. He's kept wearing the overt orange shoes ever since, colouring them in with black sharpie to adhere to the uniform rule in his own way. Oh, and he's also a certified ninja - if you haven't seen the Jim Rome interview with Wilson, it's a must see.
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The MLB needs more guys like Brian Wilson. Most baseball players come off as guarded or even dull during interviews and in such a long season, some variety isn't just nice - it's necessary. Fans and media members warm to players who show their own personality and can make them smile with more than just an amazing pitch. Ron Artest went from being seen as a bad, psycho teammate to being a player whose honesty about his psychological shortcomings and zest for life now endears him to all. Jared Allen's once crazy haircut (he cut the mullet for his wedding), hunting cookbook and general mayhem earns him legions of fans because he is honest. Patrick Roy is as well known for his play between the pipes as he was for talking to them while in net.
Let Brian Wilson keep his black beard, long mohawk, bright orange shoes, slightly over the top save celebrations and of course, his fastball, because a player with his talent, wit and humour can only help a team on the field and in the clubhouse. While he's quite handsome without the beard, as a Canadian girl I'm more than accustomed to the hockey boys' obsession with the facial hair playoff good luck charm. Let's go Giants and let Brian be the black-bearded ninja; because when he's on the mound, he's still the man to count on.
Chris Bosh's Complex (Magazine) Style
Chris Bosh is quickly becoming a publicity machine. Even before Bosh took his own talents to South Beach to form the new trio consisting of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James for the Miami Heat, he was everywhere. There were appearances on Entourage and late night talk shows, sitting court side at the NBA Finals and most recently, he's been flexing his style muscle at New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week before training camp began. He's completely revamped his personal style, reflecting his new imagine in the press. Gone are the dreads, crazy baby momma and ill-fitting garments in his wardrobe. Now, Bosh is all about clean lines both in his hair and in his clothing as well as his petite new fiancé, Adrienne Williams. It's as if when he was in Toronto, Bosh was a boy and now Miami (perhaps thanks to his teammates' influence) has made him into a man.
- Chris Bosh and fiancé Adrienne Williams on HBO's Entourage. Photo credit: Dime Mag/HBO.
Bosh is back on the fashion tip again, this time for Complex Magazine. He played model and muse for a shoot with photographer Dania Graibe in Miami. Bosh has two outfits, one that's all casual basketball gear in Heat red, black and white and the other is a more fashionable look ensemble better suited to off-day fun than on court play. No word when the shoot comes out, as Complex posts all their content online along with a monthly print edition of the magazine. Likely, the full shoot will début in the November issue once the season is underway. What do you think Bosh's look? Should he keep up his new look and play model more often? Check out the video below and let me know what you think.