Sure, Lebron James is good at basketball, but where would he be without his drip?
In other words, are his Nikes, headbands, leg/arm sleeves, wrist tape, and rolled up shorts the real reason Lebron can dunk? In this article, I will be answering that question.
Fashion, like art, is a way of expression. “For athletes, the personality highlighted in each individual’s style distinguishes them from the rest… Fashion gives everyone an opportunity to showcase who they are,” stated the University Press.
Tunnel walks have also become increasingly popular, being “a widely discussed aspect of games across several sports.” In the semi-weekly broadcast, Inside the NBA, hosted by former hall of famers Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, there is “a segment dedicated solely to showcasing athlete’s tunnel outfits. Across social media, there are countless pages dedicated to showcasing athletes’ styles and people look forward to seeing what they have to offer,” announced University Press. In some circumstances, what a pro athlete wears in the tunnel sparks just as big of a discussion as the score of the game.
However, besides expression, do accessories have a purpose? Yes, they do. According to clinical psychologist, Jonathon Jenkins, “what you wear — and conversely what your opponent wears — can affect your performance.” He goes further to say, “If you perceive your opponent as looking good, it can be intimidating and have an adverse effect on your performance.”
And there is an explanation for this- enclothed cognition. “Enclothed cognition is the influence that clothing — what you are wearing or what someone else may be wearing — has on a person’s emotions. Clothes have a symbolic meaning, and a person can have different physical experiences with different articles of clothing,” expressed by the USA Lacrosse magazine.
But in spite of that, what you wear on gameday doesn’t guarantee a win. Kaila Ignacio, a WSHS and select softball player, says, “Humble people are usually tougher opponents, those who wear a lot of accessories tend to be overconfident.” So, maybe there are some downsides too.
Well, that’s enough statistics for now. Let’s see what some West Seattle High School athletes wear for gametime. Kate Russell, a soccer player, says, “I used to wear pre-wrap a lot, and sometimes I wear grip socks.” Malia Barker, roller derby and bowling, says, “For roller derby I like to wear jewelry, but not too much because opponents will intentionally pull on it. I also sometimes wear fun socks. And for bowling, I like to get cute shoes when I can.” And finally, Kaila Ignacio, softball, says, “I like to wear jewelry, like necklaces and bracelets. I wear a ribbon in my hair, and I’ve done eye black before with glitter. Sometimes I will see people with eye black designs like a Batman mask or a cat.”
Despite the incredible drip of our West Seattle High School athletes, the question still remains. Can Lebron dunk because of his fashion? Unfortunately, it is only slightly beneficial.
University Press argues, “Consequently, there’s a direct correlation that exists between an athlete’s performance and what they wear.” This was the case for basketball legend, Michael Jordan, who reportedly, “couldn’t play without his North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls shorts.” Nonetheless, the concept relates more to superstitions than it does science, and it boosts confidence more than it helps your game.
So, no, drip is not the reason Lebron can dunk. Actually, some students believe that it has a negative effect on athletic performance. Kate says, “I feel like a play worse with pre-wrap because I get distracted by it when it slips down.” Malia claims, “it might be contributing to your confidence, but that’s it. And in roller derby, the aggressiveness can cause it to be a safety hazard.”
In short, drip does not mean you’ll play well on gameday. However, don’t let that stop you from being chic and confident. And if you lost your game or didn’t play so well, at least you looked good while doing it.
