Headband History 101

The National Basketball Association has existed for over 65 years now. Generations and generations of players have passed through the league, leaving their mark on it forever. Innovators of the game have revolutionized the way the sport has been played, but it has always been a game engrained with a certain level of flair.

Elegance in professional basketball is not limited to what the players are doing on the court. NBA stars have embraced an assortment of accessories including sneakers, socks, shooting sleeves, and tights. None, however, may be more iconic than the stylish, yet practical headband.

Sure, some of the athletes have used headbands for the simple purpose of preventing sweat from reaching their eyes. Others have used them because they just look cool. We start with one of the coolest of superstars: Wilt Chamberlain.

Wilt Chamberlain

(photo via nba.com/lakers)

Chamberlain was known for absolutely dominating the game of basketball during the 60s. He was an athletic specimen who scored and rebounded like no other. A rather underrated accolade of his was bringing the headband to the NBA. The Stilt began wearing the headband once he came to Los Angeles, and it was a wonderful look. Unlike the ones that players wear today, Wilt’s headband was thick in the front, where it stopped perspiration from running down his face, and thin from the ears back. Wilt was one of the coolest cats in NBA history, so it only seems right that he originated the headband.

Earl “Slick” Watts

(photo via stevenlebron.com)

I don’t think a nickname has ever been more fitting. Donald Earl Watts was a guard for the Seattle Supersonics during the mid-1970s. Slick could score the ball, and he even led the league in both steals and assists in 1976. Most importantly, he did this all while pioneering the tilted headband. The cockeyed look has been utilized by few and far between, but Slick perfected it. The Sonics (RIP) sported one of the best color combinations in the league, which Watts used to his advantage. He rocked both the green and gold headbands during his tenure in Seattle. Also, I have found my favorite all-time Seattle Supersonic.

Bill Walton

(photo via nba.com)

If it weren’t for several foot injuries limiting Bill, he may have been one of the greatest centers that the game has ever seen. Walton was a wizard passing the basketball and could rebound and defend with the best of them. Bill also wore a unique headband during his days with the Blazers. The word “headband” doesn’t serve it justice. Bill donned a bandanna that had to be tied in the back. Along with his long hair and gigantic beard, the bandanna completed Walton’s extraordinary look. Bill was a special player, so it seems only right that he had special headwear.

The 1980s posed a low point for headbands in the NBA. To this day researchers continue to try to solve this mystery.

Cliff Robinson

(photo via nba.com/blazers)

There weren’t many NBA-ers who donned the headband in the ’90s, but Cliff rocked it. Robinson was a stretch-4 before the term was coined, and played for the successful Trailblazers’ squad that reached the Finals a few decades ago. Throughout his entire 19-year career, Robinson stuck with the band night in and night out. Legend has it that he actually NEVER took it off. Let’s give it up for Clifford.

Allen Iverson

(photo via nba.com/sixers)

We have now arrived at the peak of headband history, where the proportion of headbands was at an all-time high, and it would be a shame to recognize anyone else first. A.I. is the prototype for headband use in the league. Let’s break it down. First, he introduced the cornrows/headband look during his days in Philly. The amount of people who began to braid their hair in this fashion because of this man is nearly countless. Add the headband to the equation, and Iverson was an idol to many young NBA fans in the early 2000s, including myself. The Answer also began to wear striped headbands. The two, thick strips of black and red is a simple, yet elegant design. Allen Iverson epitomized how awesome the NBA was in the early-2000s.

Jason Terry

(photo via LJWorld.com)

Jason Terry is a 15-year NBA vet now, and he has worn his trusty headband and knee-high socks since the beginning of time, or so it seems. His look, along with his 3-point percentage, is timeless.

Gerald Wallace

(photo via Yahoo Sports)

Wallace has been a nomadic forward bringing his scoring, shooting and defensive talents all over the NBA. G-Force’s (apparently that’s a nickname) versatility extends to his headband game as well. He’s rocked a variety of looks over the years, including the shaven head, cornrows, short dreads and braids into a ponytail. Gerald is a man of fashion.

Stephen Jackson

(photo via everyjoe.com)

Stephen Jackson is similar to Gerald Wallace in that he played for a multitude of teams over his long career in the league. Cap’n Jack was also a forward who got buckets and donned the headband.

Paul Pierce

(photo via USA Today)

Paul Pierce is the elderly gentleman at the rec center who is decked out in sweatbands, headbands and high socks. Although looking old, he can still ball out. The Truth has played and looked the same for the majority of his career, sort of like a wizard that hits clutch shots. Pierce is another in the line of players entering the league around the year 2000 who joined the headband revolution and stuck with it throughout his career. Seeing Pierce in anything other than Celtic’s uniform still seems unnatural, but as long as he rocks the headband, everything is all right.

Vince Carter

(photo via Bleacher Report)

From his years as a scoring superstar in Toronto and New Jersey, to his time as a swingman off of the bench in Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas and now Memphis, Vince Carter has carried his headband with him all over. He is widely considered the greatest dunker in the history of the NBA and shot 37.4 percent from behind the arc over his career, per Basketball Reference. It was slightly disappointing that his Dunk Contest victory in 2000 came before he began wearing the band, but I digress. Vinsanity is one of the most memorable players from his generation — the generation of headbands.

Portland Trailblazers

(photo via leaveit2divac.com & Getty Images)

This Trailblazers from 2000-2003 were an interesting bunch. Widely deemed the “Jailblazers”, they were often the center of some controversy. For our purposes, Portland was a squad  that brought together multiple guys who sported headbands. Bonzi Wells, one of Portland’s wings, rocked the headband AND the sweatband on his bicep. Rasheed Wallace was a vocal forward who wore headbands for his entire career. Zach Randoph still puts one on every night as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies today. It’s a bit of an anomaly today when several guys from the same team are wearing headbands simultaneously, but the Jailblazers did it consistently.

Derek Fisher

(photo via sacredhoops.com)

Fish isn’t a guy who’s headband usage was consistent in his career; rather, it’s famous for the style in which he wore it. Instead of placing it above and behind his ears, Fisher’s headband sat on top of his ears. I’m not entirely sure the reason for this approach, but I’m sure there’s a good reason behind it. Or not. Probably not.

Ben Wallace

(photo via nba.com/pistons)

Big Ben was a force to be reckoned with in the paint during the early 2000s. The 2-time Defensive Player of the Year led the league in both rebounds and blocks during the 2002 season, and averaged 15.4 boards per contest in 2003, according to Basketball Reference. Wallace also plays a crucial part in our history of headbands in the association. He is probably the most notable player to wear the headband with an afro. A special look for a very special talent and player.

Richard Hamilton

(photo via Slam)

A teammate of Big Ben’s, Rip was a crucial player on the Piston’s 2004 title team. Hamilton was known as a slick shooter who came off of screens to nail jumpers. He also integrated the “facemask and headband” design, which is rather intimidating if I do say so myself. Mike Conley and Russell Westbrook sported this look last season after suffering face injuries, and I couldn’t help but think of Rip. He had a definite impact on the history of headbands.

LeBron James

(photo via nba.com/cavaliers)

LeBron James is quite possibly the greatest player to wear a headband. King James has dominated the NBA ever since he entered the league in 2003, and his headband has been along for the ride. Although, there have been times in James’ career where he was without his trusty headpiece. During the 4th quarter of Game 6 of the 2013 Finals against the Spurs, James lost his headband on an alley-oop.

LeBron finished that game with a stat line of 32 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block in a crucial Heat victory, per Basketball Reference. James returned to Cleveland this past season, reverted to his old jersey number, and continued wearing the headband. However, during the 2015 playoffs and Finals, James decided against wearing the band. An important question in the headband community over the offseason has been whether or not LeBron will don the headband this season. It’ll be crucial in confirming his rank on the All-Headband team.

Carmelo Anthony

(photo via nba.com/nuggets)

Drafted in the same year as LeBron, Melo has also been a firm believer in wearing headbands. Upon entering the league, Anthony presumably modeled his look after Allen Iverson, in that he wore his hair in cornrows along with a headband. Over his career, Melo has been to eight All-Star games, won a scoring title, moved to New York, and altered his look ever so slightly. His head is now shaven, but the headband is forever.

Dirk Nowitzki

(photo via haikudeck.com)

Dirk’s look is slightly reminiscent of Mr. Bill Walton from back in the 70s. Granted, the Big German didn’t wear the headband often, but when he did, it was glorious.

Jason Kidd

(photo via nj.com)

This rendition of the headband is … something. Jason Kidd was one of the flashiest players in the 2000s, with his marvelous ability to pass the basketball. In his last year in the league as a member of the Knicks, he decided to try something new. For that, I applaud him. He must’ve been a humongous fan of Slick Watts, which is something both he and I have in common.

With some of aforementioned players a la LeBron, Jason Terry, Paul Pierce and Melo nearing the end of their careers, you would hope that the proverbial headband torch can be passed to players who will carry it with pride. Fortunately, younger guns like Boogie Cousins, Isaiah Thomas and Josh Smith continue to prevent sweat from blurring their vision and burning their eyes in style. The future of the headband is in good hands … erm … on good heads.