Protective Gear Really Needed?

[grunewar]

Karl Malone speaks his mind.....

Y! SPORTS

From the article:

"I'm not concerned with your elbow pads, your knee pads, all of your garb and your full body armor. What do you need all that for? Our soldiers need that in Iraq and they're doing a hell of a job for us. Take all that off! We don't need that. What I need you to do is show up and be ready to play. That's it."

[JRutledge]

I didn't listen to Karl Malone 20 years ago when the issue was HIV in the NBA, I am not listening to him now.

Peace

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I didn't listen to Karl Malone 20 years ago when the issue was HIV in the NBA, I am not listening to him now.

Peace

Given that this extra stuff players are wearing (legheadcompressionwristarmsleeveband) represents nothing more than an expression of individuality with scant evidence that it is either needed ("That is for a medical reason, isn't it?" validation nothwithstanding...) or improves personal performance to any measurable extent, I'm likin' what Karl Malone is saying here. His quote deserves recognition in the anti-fashion police hall of fame. Wish NFHS would just get it over with and ban all that stuff.
But that's just me.
Will never happen, though.

[APG]

Or the NFHS could just get over it and not delegate officials to be the fashion police besides the bare minimum (jerseys with same color and with numbers on them, and shorts/pants) and only concern us with things that affect safety.

[potato]

I think those knee pads with paddings, or inner shirt with paddings, or crotch protector can actually help reduce the impact, pain & injury during collision.

Even a normal elbow pad would help when the player's falling flat.

Originally Posted by APG

Or the NFHS could just get over it and not delegate officials to be the fashion police besides the bare minimum (jerseys with same color and with numbers on them, and shorts/pants) and only concern us with things that affect safety.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by potato

I think those knee pads with paddings, or inner shirt with paddings, or crotch protector can actually help reduce the impact, pain & injury during collision.

Even a normal elbow pad would help when the player's falling flat.

Or it allows them to be more physical with less concern about getting hurt in the process. Take the pads off both players and you just might see them both back the physicality down a notch.

[RonA]

I agree completely. Being a fashion cop in a basketball game has so little to do with the game itself, except for the fact that it is part of the uniform, and by definition of the word "uniform", it means remaining the same in all cases and at all times., hence the name uniform, etc...

Long story longer, I see Federation's point, and while I don't agree with it, as an official, I have to and will enforce it as necessary.

[potato]

Or maybe Karl Malone just still holding a grudge with Michael Jordan and hoping by banning these stuffs may hurt Jordan Brand in selling a few hundred extra arm & knee pads.

[Kelvin green]

Originally Posted by potato

Or maybe Karl Malone just still holding a grudge with Michael Jordan and hoping by banning these stuffs may hurt Jordan Brand in selling a few hundred extra arm & knee pads.

I saw the interview on the local news. My take was that instead of being prissy/sissy, the new breed of players need to suck it up and play basketball.

[potato]

Then boxing fighters shouldn't be wearing boxing glooves & head gear & suck it up.