Beards have become increasingly popular in the NBA, with more and more players sporting facial hair on the court. From James Harden’s iconic beard to Steven Adams’ rugged look, the league is filled with bearded stars.
While beards are now a common sight in the NBA, there was a time when they were relatively rare. In fact, the league used to have a strict policy against facial hair, requiring players to be clean-shaven. This policy was in place for many years, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that players began to push back against it.
Walt Frazier
One of the first players to challenge the league’s facial hair policy was the legendary Walt Frazier. Frazier, who played for the New York Knicks in the 1970s, began growing a mustache despite the league’s ban on facial hair. He was eventually fined $50 by the NBA for his disobedience, but the incident helped to spark a larger movement among players.
Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and George Gervin
As the 1970s progressed, more and more players began to grow mustaches and beards, defying the league’s policy. Players like Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and George Gervin all sported facial hair during this time, and it soon became a common sight on the court.
By the 1980s, the league began to loosen its policy on facial hair, allowing players to grow mustaches as long as they were neatly groomed. This change opened the door for more players to experiment with facial hair, and by the 1990s, beards were becoming more common.
Hakeem Olajuwon
One of the first players to sport a full beard in the NBA was Hakeem Olajuwon. The Houston Rockets center began growing his beard in the late 1980s, and it soon became a signature part of his look. Other players, like Alonzo Mourning and Karl Malone, also began growing beards in the 1990s, and the trend continued to gain momentum in the following decades.
Today, beards are a common style of the NBA, with players of all ages and positions sporting facial hair on the court. While Walt Frazier may have been the first to challenge the league’s policy on facial hair, he was certainly not the last, and he helped the trend to start has become a permanent part of the NBA’s culture.
The popularity of beards in the NBA has reached new heights in recent years, with many players opting to grow out their facial hair both on and off the court. This trend has become a defining aspect of the league’s culture, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
James Harden
Some of the most well-known NBA players with beards today include James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets, who is perhaps the most recognizable bearded player in the league. Harden’s impressive facial hair has become a part of his brand, and his beard has even been featured on merchandise sold in stores.
Steven Adams and Kelly Olynyk
Another notable bearded player is Steven Adams of the Memphis Grizzlies, who sports a bushy beard that has become a signature part of his look. Kelly Olynyk of the Detroit Pistons also has a well-groomed beard that is frequently mentioned as one of the best in the league.
LeBron James
The playoff beard tradition is also alive and well in the NBA, with many players growing out their facial hair during the postseason as a sign of solidarity and toughness. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is one player who has been known to grow a playoff beard, as has Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.
Other players who are currently sporting impressive beards in the NBA include:
- Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks
- Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers
- Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets
- Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers
Overall, beards have become a prominent and beloved part of the NBA, and it’s clear that many players take their facial hair seriously. Whether for personal or practical reasons, it’s clear that beards are here to stay in the league, and we can expect to see more players growing out their facial hair in the years to come.
