Ben Wallace Is Realizing The Bulls Own Him And The Way He Dresses On The Court

The Chicago Bulls apparently have a "no headband policy" and that is a separate policy from the NBA. Yes the NBA has a dress code on wristbands and that they can't be worn too high up on the forearm or a player will be fined.

Wallace who signed a 4 year/$60 million contract this offseason to join the Bulls, was benched this past Saturday because he was wearing a red headband during the game. This is a rule that was made by Bulls GM John Paxson, because he apparently didn't like the fact that the Bulls were wearing them under then GM Jerry Krause.

"It’s not meant in any way to stifle anybody’s individuality or creativity," Paxson said. "It was just simply part of a structure we were trying to create."

You have to wonder was he benched because of the headband or was it because he's averaging 5.5 ppg and 9.2 rebounds a contest all while the Bulls defense is worse than when he arrived. Or is it because Wallace has, according to media sources, not been happy with the Bulls on other issues since arriving and now Bulls management is fed up and this latest incident was the straw that broke the camel's back?

"I knew that we weren't allowed to wear the headbands," Wallace said. "If you know the rules and break them, you expect to be punished. I can't try to put myself above the team or anybody else and wear a headband like I did. I'm man enough to take the punishment. But I'm not sorry."

Has the NBA has gone overboard with this whole dress code thing? It's nice that they have to travel and sit on the bench when they are injured in a suit. However, to dictate whether a player can wear a wristband/headband or not is a bit harsh. The NBA should be more concerned about the basketball product that it puts on the floor than policing headbands and wristbands.

Ben Wallace is learning a thing or two about being the highest paid player on a team now. As well as the Bulls pretty much have control over their $60 million man.

Wallace: I'm Not Sorry - Chicago Tribune
Bulls downplay benching Wallace for wearing headband - Rocky Mountain News