The Best Show In Sneakers

Everyone blamed Allen Iverson for the threads lockdown. But truth be told, the guy who really got David Stern's attention-and raised the bar for creativity-was Damon Jones. So we let Scoop Jackson turn the tables

After scoring 30 points in a Heat win over the Nets in Game 1 of the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs, Damon Jones stepped to the postgame podium and took ghetto fabulousness to a whole new level. Beaming a bright smile, he sported a black suit with black sunglasses, set off with diamond earrings that would make Diddy proud. The fashion statement was nothing new to those who know Jones. And that's why, after the league's dress code went into effect last fall, Scoop Jackson knew Jones was the perfect player to punk with a prank call. In early January, Scoop dialed the digits, disguised his voice and put Jones on the spot. Here's how it all went down:

SCOOP JACKSON Hello. Can I speak to Mr. Jones?
DAMON JONES This is him.
SJ My name is Raymond Alexander, and I'm with the players association. We want to file a grievance against you for being the cause of the league's installing the dress code.
DJ Cool.
SJ So you admit that you are the cause of this?
DJ Yeah. That's what I want to be known as-a trendsetter, the guy who set the bar.
SJ The game against the Nets, when you were on the podium …
DJ Yeah. I knew it was going to be a positive situation because I had just scored 30 points, it was our first win of the playoffs and you know after every playoff game there's a lot of press. So I just got my mind ready to answer questions the right way, come across humble but also let the world know I was ready to get that pub. Straight Hollywood.
SJ Honestly, it was ghetto Hollywood, sir.
DJ Yeah, I had the black outfit on, the blacked-out shades with the ice around the rims. I had the ice on my neck, my wrist, my ears, my pinkie finger. But my focus was to get up there and articulate what I had to say-not sound crazy but be wellspoken and get my point across.
SJ So you knew what you were doing?
DJ Definitely. I knew exactly what I was doing, what the reaction was going to be. When they put in the dress code, the things about chains and sunglasses, I knew it was because of me. Once they made a big deal out of it, I knew it was something I started.
SJ Is it true the commissioner asked you to take off your sunglasses and you refused?
DJ No. The commissioner wasn't there-that's a myth. He called Pat Riley and told him that if I wore sunglasses again, the team would be fined $50,000. So from that point on, I wore the sunglasses to and from the games, but whenever I did an interview, I took them off. Who are you again?
SJ Uh, Mr. Jones, the members of the players association feel that you have caused them a great deal of unnecessary stress and drama, and cost them money. They feel that because of you, they've had to change their lifestyles. Therefore …
DJ Man, it's no big deal for me, so it shouldn't be for them.
SJ Not everyone has style like you, apparently. Now explain to me your nongovernment name, the Best Show in Sneakers.
DJ It's not a name, it's a fact. See, there are a lot of guys that play well that ain't got a clean look. I'm not going to say no names, but …
SJ But in the words of Cam'ron, they "wasn't rockin' it right." Right?
DJ I'm putting them clothes on, man. That's what I'm doing. They fit to a T, well-tailored. Those other guys, their suits don't fit them the way mine fit me. You can't look at the other players in the league and say they look like this. My look is unique.
SJ But some dress better?
DJ No, sir.
SJ So the best-dressed player in the NBA is?
DJ Damon Jones.
SJ Even though you're the reason they implemented a dress code?
DJ Yes, sir.
SJ Our records show that you haven't been fined yet.
DJ And I won't be. The dress code has taken my game to another level. I'm going to be fly every chance I get. I'm a mix of Terrell Owens and Kanye West. I have TO's brashness and Kanye's upfrontness. And both of them always look nice in public.
SJ Hopefully you're not as arrogant.
DJ No. I just love me some me.
SJ One of the things we are concerned about is the mink coats that you may wear to the podium during the playoffs this year, now that you're in Cleveland.
DJ I'm not a mink guy. I got a lot of cashmere. I got one for every color suit. Blue, black, gray … Hold on, man, you said something about a grievance. This don't sound like a legal conversation. My man, what's your name again?
SJ Day, I'm just messin' with you … It's Scoop.
DJ Ah, hell naw! That's messed up!

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