Jermaine O'Neal: Braids or No Braids?

While many apparently feel that the new Hair Watch category is not relevant to the topic of the NBA, I happen to think that it is quite, uh, germane. Granted, the big news about the Pacers has nothing to do with our boy J.O. but I am nonetheless fascinated by his decision to ditch the cornrows this season. Was it the right move?

I've paired old pictures of braided Jermaine with pictures from this season in the new 'do. My first observation is that the short hair makes him look extra young. Maybe that's because, as Nate pointed out earlier, the last time we saw him without his braids was when he was just a young thing of a rookie.

My second observation is that the new hairstyle actually makes his forehead look bigger. This is not a big issue when he's wearing the headband, but you can really see the effect in the pictures below without the headband.



I'm going to have to give a thumbs down to the new look. The wrong hairstyle can really kill it for someone with a five-head (see Tyra Banks). Much love, Jermaine ... I'm just saying.