LeBron James: NBA Star's Headband is Biggest Storyline of Game 6 [Video]
The day after LeBron James and the Miami Heat narrowly escaped elimination in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the biggest story on the internet isn't the game itself, but the fact that James played much of the later stages of the game without his signature headband.
James lost his headband when an opposing player, Tim Duncan, swiped it off his head with just over nine minutes left in regulation time. James would go on to make some key baskets, after struggling earlier in the game, and the Heat eventually won by three points in overtime.
James' headband has been a signature part of his uniform since he entered the league in 2003. It's also been the source of much public ridicule, with many citing James' receding hairline as the reason for the headband's permanent placement on his head. In the past, James has been known to seek out and return the headband to its rightful place, even when it's been knocked off his head while the game is in full swing. Yesterday's game marked the first time anyone saw James play basketball for an extended period of time without his headgear. Everyone, from fans to sportscasters, took to Twitter to talk about it.
"Man, Lebron looks weird without his headband," tweeted ESPN sports anchor Robert Flores.
Others pondered whether James should ditch the headband permanently, because of his elite play after he went headband-less during Game 6.
"So here's the real question going forward: Headband or No Headband for Game 7?" tweeted ESPN's NBA sideline reporter Rachel Nichols.
The anticipation for the decisive Game 7 between the Heat and Spurs on June 20 seemed to be rivaled by speculation about whether James will take the court with or without the headband. James ended the speculation by announcing today that he will return to his signature look for Game 7.