The 10 greatest mustaches in NBA history

EXUBERANCE

Some young men have mustaches, not because they SHOULD, but just to celebrate that they CAN.

Myself, I’ve always used the same shaving routine — since the day when Lord Puberty gave me my first stubble — to start with the cheeks and chin and leave the upper lip for last.  The patchy mustache left behind after the initial trimming always received a thorough examination.  Could some coaxing cover these gaps? Could I pull this off?  Occasionally, a work-in-progress passing self-inspection might leave the sink for a brief public trial (still mottled with shaving cream and razor burns), only to face immediate ridicule and removal.

But, at some point, I looked in the mirror and realized: ‘that is a legit mustache.’

Looking through albums of NBA-family photos, I recognize this moment of exuberance on the once-youthful faces of many of the league’s wizened executives. General managers Danny Ainge, Dell Demps, Ernie Grunfeld, and Dave Wohl each had mustache moments as young players in the NBA.

Miami Heat Team President Pat Riley was an NBA frat guy back in his playing days — resplendent with orange wristbands, sunburst short-shorts, floppy hair, and a big, bushy mustache.  It was an irrepressible look that stands in such sharp contrast to the clean-shaven, slicked-back, grown-up version of Riley that coached the Lakers just a few years later.

But, I’m awarding this group to another team president. Like Riley, Phil Jackson revelled in his youthful mustache moment, but then he grew up. The difference is, Jackson grew up to become an adult who also had a mustache.  So, bonus points.