NBA Hair Watch: Playoff Edition

While our NHL brothers are partial to playoff beards and playoff moustaches, the NBA guys are all about doin' the new 'dos for the postseason. With Game One in the can for all eight first-round series, it's time to analyze six leaders of the NBA hairevolution.


Ronny Turiaf (Lakers): In addition to his heartwarming story and excellent dance moves, Turiaf may best be known for his janky braid jobs. His most recent set was actually very nice, but I wouldn't otherwise peg Ronny as my go-to hair guy. So it wasn't a bad move taking the braids down and letting it all hang out. Not sure I like the look, but I'm with Ronny on the theory here -- if I'm going to the playoffs, I'm taking the braids out. Honestly, I don't know how these guys keep their 'rows on point with all the sweating they do. And it sure is hot in Phoenix.


Matt Barnes (Warriors): Wow. Barnes usually wears an odd, high-water bowl cut that only Shawn Marion's mother could love, but tonight he decided to mix it up with some clippers and a dollop of Andris Biedrins' hair gel. He showed up in Dallas for his Game One win with a style that I can only describe as ... indescribable. I'm not really sure the semi-hawk does the trick, but it has to be better than what he was working before.


Smush Parker (Lakers): Well, now I understand what Smush was doing with that baby 'fro all season. I feel you man, that in-between growing period can be awkward. Looks like the locks are finally long enough to braid, though I'm not really high on this style for some reason. But it sure beats the hell out of that hot mess of a part he was rocking before, so I'll have to give him an "upgrade" rating for this effort.

Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets): A lot of Nuggs are sporting tight braids for the playoffs (I'm especially fond of Nene's and Allen Iverson's) but 'Melo came out with the biggest change, going for a skinny crisscross pattern with two thick braids at the sides. I don't know, Boo-Boo, I think that style might fly on your La La lady friend but I'm not really feeling it on you. Good effort, though. Those skinny braids tend to stay put -- I think they'll be around through Round Two.


Luke Walton (Lakers): Yet another Lakerbocker showed up with a new 'do for the playoffs. As Brett pointed out earlier today, Luke stole a page from the hairstyling book of love non-interest Britney Spears with this buzz-cut. I kind of liked Luke's old curls, but let's be real, the younger Walton could don an an old-school Chris Kaman wig and still look good. I'm not mad at you, Luke.


Leandro Barbosa (Suns): The Brazilian Blur usually sports a nondescript clipper job, but he apparently showed up at practice yesterday with a mohawk! Loves it. He was trying to get some team spirit going (a la streaking beard) but no one else in Phoenix was down. Sadly young LB ditched the 'hawk for today's game, but the aerodynamics of the close shave seem to have made him even faster.

Additional Getty image credits:
Carmelo Anthony: Glenn James, Garrett Ellwood
Luke Walton: Rocky Widner, Andrew Bernstein
Leandro Barbosa: Barry Gossage, Andrew Bernstein, Lisa Blumenfeld