Homage to Their Idols

By Roy B. White

How It Started: NBA ballers are going back to their roots Judgment: Headbands look cool, but talent wins games

These days, very few pro basketball players still sport huge, unruly Afros or other extravagant hairstyles popularized in the '70s; but even without much hair to hold, sports headbands are making a big comeback. Last season's Charlotte Hornets wore them as bands of unity. Guard Derek Fisher, right, is flashing Laker yellow in the NBA finals. "It's definitely more of a fashion statement than anything else," explains NBA merchandising boss Sal LaRocca. "But many players also want to identify and connect with players they may have idolized growing up. You hear them talking a lot about modeling their games on legends like Julius Erving. I guess this is another way to pay homage." The trend has meant a big bonus for the company that makes NBA-licensed headbands, For Bare Feet. Company executive Kelly Baugh says its headband sales are up 74% from last year. "It's very urban. The demand started there, and then it branched out to sporting-goods stores and the mainstream market. With the NBA market, that's usually the case." --By Roy B. White