NBA Player Rankings: Top 25 Eastern Conference Players, from Julius Randle to Giannis Antetokounmpo”>Detroit Pistons
coach J.B. Bickerstaff has implemented a new dress code for his players during practice. While many NBA teams have relaxed their gameday dress codes in recent years, Bickerstaff is taking a more strict approach. According to The Athletic, he has prohibited the Pistons from wearing their hoodies up during practice.Bickerstaff’s decision stems from his desire to instill an “old school” mentality in the team. He believes that since players don’t wear hoodies during games, they shouldn’t wear them during practice either.
“Just the last shred of that old-school mentality,” Bickerstaff explained. “Just growing up with my dad, you don’t wear anything on your head during the game. You don’t wear jewelry. You practice how you play.”
While this may be a change for the players, Pistons star Cade Cunningham supports Bickerstaff’s new policy. Cunningham compared it to teachers asking students to take off their hoods in school classrooms and emphasized the importance of professionalism and readiness.
This dress code is just one way in which Bickerstaff is trying to change the culture within the Pistons organization. The team finished last in back-to-back seasons and even set a league record with 28 consecutive losses last year. It remains to be seen whether these changes will translate into tangible improvements on the court during games.
Bickerstaff’s decision reflects his commitment to instilling discipline and professionalism within his team as they strive for success in future seasons.
