LeBron James has worn a headband his entire NBA career, with notable exceptions. That’s just how it is. The sun rises, the sky is blue, LeBron plays in a headband, the pope is Catholic, the sun sets. So people were a little surprised when, midway through the Cavaliers’ game on Sunday, James returned from a brief rest with a naked head. LeBron didn’t really have a satisfying explanation. Via Cleveland.com:
So does LeBron James just not wear a headband now?
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“Just happened, spur (of the moment), just took it off,” James said, reminding reporters it was knocked off his head in the 2012-13 Finals and he didn’t put it back.
Just felt like it. That kind of night. Only it wasn’t just one night! LeBron took the floor Tuesday night in Dallas sans headband ...
... and he’s continued that way:
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
As far as anyone knows, this is a first:
LeBron's played parts of games w/o a headband in career. To my knowledge, this is 1st time he's started without it. Whatever that's worth.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) March 11, 2015 It’s funny. The headband is such an arbitrary accessory and matters so little, but when someone so prominent has looked a certain way for so long, it’s REALLY jarring to see a change in appearance.
So is that it? Is LeBron just letting the hairline ride and going headbandless forever? Or is this just a phase, a la Alex Trebek and his mustache?
Update: Thursday against the Spurs, still no headband. This may be the new way.
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