Debutante-worthy Headbands on NBA Courts

In the LAX terminal I was happy to pick up Sunday’s NY Times style section and read a funny story by Alex Williams about hairstyles in the NBA. She certainly has a way with words describing the silly hairstyles seen on NBA basketball courts.

“But perhaps no recent hairstyle says “adieu, M. Jordan” like the curious “Lord of the Rings”-meets-“Where the Boys Are” hairstyle worn of late by the Grizzlies’ Mike Miller, the Lakers’ Ronny Turiaf, the Sonics’ Mickael Gelabale, and the Bobcats’ Walter Herrmann.

With long flowing tresses pulled back pertly under a debutante-worthy headband, sometimes with a ponytail added for spice, it would look equally at home on Legolas battling the Orcs in Middle Earth or a convertible-load of Tri-Delts barreling toward Fort Lauderdale on spring break in 1960.

Paul Podlucky, a Manhattan hairstylist with celebrity and socialite clients, explained that “headbands are really big for women right now,” but they do send a mixed message on a 6-foot-10 power forward.

“This just looks like an all-girl group from the ’50s, like the Shirelles,” he said of the hairstyle. “But there’s also something white trash in there, like trailer-y. It’s almost comical — and I’m a gay hairdresser.”

In that, they are part of a proud warrior tradition. Historically, long hair was a signifier of strength and virility among Vikings, Celts and Goths, explained Victoria Sherrow, author of “Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History” (Greenwood Press, 2006). Baldness typically indicated low social standing, even slavery. Scalping, once common on several continents, was symbolic emasculation, she said — the “in your face” slam-dunk of the ancient battlefield.

Now, even Mr. Anthony of ESPN, who has worn his head shaved since he squared off against Mr. Jordan in the early ’90s, feels the tug of changing fashion.

“Hey,” he said, “if I could grow hair, I’d probably do it too.”