So the NBA now has a dress code.

It’s not the shorts, gym shoes and jerseys players wear for 60 minutes during the game.

Although a case could be made that the league has had a dress code all along, since players have uniforms they are required to wear during games – aka business hours.

As of this month, the league has a new “business casual” dress code.

Forget that the code has nothing about players with patchy, shaggy beards a la Vlade Divac in his prime, or players with moppy, unkempt hair past their collars like Steve Nash.

It ignores players with tube socks up to nearly their thighs like Keith Van Horn, and those with uber-tight or baggy uniforms.

What the code does address is what players wear when they show up and leave work.

Players must wear socks on their way to the game. They cannot listen to headphones, or wear hats (we assume this means stocking hats during the winter) once in the arena and sunglasses can only be worn outdoors.

What is most disturbing, even more than the trivial aforementioned items, are some items seemingly aimed toward specific demographics by the wording of the guidelines.

According to the NBA’s official Web site, “chains, pendants or medallions worn over the players clothes” are banned. Also, “headgear of any kind … during a team or league event or appearance;” and many officials single out doo-rags.

The Northern Star understands a dress code may be in order, as these players are not only multi-million dollar public figures, but also business men at the “office.”

Just make the code include all forms of, as Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson put it, “thuggery.”

The NBA could give players team-related warm-up suits – which under the new code are only approved for post-game travel.

And, if the league is so concerned with a player’s image … stop allowing them to do television interviews wearing only towels. Apparently, public nudity isn’t a concern, just don’t be caught nude while wearing some bling.

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