Four-time league MVP LeBron James created quite a stir when he wore a black carbon-fiber mask to cover his broken nose on Thursday against the New York Knicks. But the NBA has officially asked the Miami Heat superstar to switch to the more traditional clear mask when the Heat play the Orlando Magic at home on Saturday.
ESPN.com quoted NBA spokesman Tim Frank as saying, "It is our understanding LeBron used the black mask because a clear one he was comfortable with wasn't ready."
A source told the website that James has appealed the NBA's decision and hopes to get clearance from the league office to wear the black mask. The two-time Finals MVP has said that he likes the lightness and fit of the black mask, and it showed on Thursday when he lit up the Knicks for 31 points on a very efficient 13 of 19 field-goal shooting.
Aside from being lightweight, the black mask was a big hit among the fans. Even the Heat have begun to merchandise T-shirts with the image of a masked James on them. Said Shane Battier of the Heat: "Only LeBron can make breaking your nose look cool."
In recent years, the league office has enforced the use of a clear mask among players. In 2012, Lakers star Kobe Bryant also wore a black mask in the first half of a game before switching to a clear one after intermission. Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving also wore a black mask but changed to a clear one.
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