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Report: NBA will ban tights next season

Items have been worn by such stars as Kobe, LeBron, Dwyane

Image: Bucks in tights
Morry Gash / AP file
Milwaukee's Michael Redd (22), Joe Smith (8) and Andrew Bogut couldn't look like this in tights if the NBA changes its rules next year.
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NBCSports.com news services
updated 12:41 p.m. ET March 31, 2006

Starting next season, the NBA intends to ban tights, ESPN reported Thursday, citing unnamed league and team sources.

According to ESPN, league officials apparently don't like the look, which has been sported by such stars as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

The NBA can change the dress code without involving the union, ESPN reported.

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Under the new rule change, players who want to wear tights would need a note from a doctor detailing a "medical need," ESPN reported.

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Several players, including the Dallas Mavericks' Jerry Stackhouse, have said they wear the tights to avoid injuries.

"They've really become important to me," Stackhouse said, ESPN reported. "I've had a couple groin injuries and they help me get comfortable. I wear thigh sleeves, too, and the tights also help keep them from sliding down my legs. They just hold everything together."

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