Basketball Arm Sleeve

[Row1and]

Is there any purpose to the sleeve other than looks?

 

[shopbruin]

Keeps the arm warm perhaps to improve circulation?

 

[her209]

Its a compression sleeve.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: freesia39
Keeps the arm warm perhaps to improve circulation?

You're running up and down the court sweating your ass off. WTF wouldn't your arm be warm already?

 

[buck]

offensive tattoos?

 

[kaZ8Teen]

Ai used to do it to cover his tattoos..but now its da coolest!

 

[destrekor]

its the cool thing, cover offensive tattoos, but primarily is used for compression to prevent elbow problems from the repetitive strains of shooting. Helps keep ligaments and muscles in proper condition, nerves out of the way of compression from the joint, and all the tissues in general compressed and warm, but not like sweating warm - big difference when it comes to muscles and exertion.

But really, it's because it is the hip thing to wear. You know, fashion and image is very important on the court.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: destrekor
its the cool thing, cover offensive tattoos, but primarily is used for compression to prevent elbow problems from the repetitive strains of shooting. Helps keep ligaments and muscles in proper condition, nerves out of the way of compression from the joint, and all the tissues in general compressed and warm, but not like sweating warm - big difference when it comes to muscles and exertion.

But really, it's because it is the hip thing to wear. You know, fashion and image is very important on the court.

Im sure if they could have more accessories, they would.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: destrekor
its the cool thing, cover offensive tattoos, but primarily is used for compression to prevent elbow problems from the repetitive strains of shooting. Helps keep ligaments and muscles in proper condition, nerves out of the way of compression from the joint, and all the tissues in general compressed and warm, but not like sweating warm - big difference when it comes to muscles and exertion.

lol @ all this, nice job.

But really, it's because it is the hip thing to wear. You know, fashion and image is very important on the court.

This.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: buck
Im sure if they could have more accessories, they would.

Hamilton / Lee face mask?

 

[vi edit]

Sometimes it's used for protection. Ray Allen wore one in a series against Detroit because Rip Hamilton had nasty untrimmed fingernails and scratched the hell out of Ray.

 

[Homerboy]

while I think many are nothing but a fashion statement (truly how they started out) the are becoming more and more "practical" (I use it that term loosely). destrekor hit on some of the points. They also are wearing them with some light padding in too now for when they hit the deck and such. Even their compression shorts have padding in for guys like Wade and the like.

Still 99% are cuz its "cool". LOL the NBA is such a joke.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Sometimes it's used for protection. Ray Allen wore one in a series against Detroit because Rip Hamilton had nasty untrimmed fingernails and scratched the hell out of Ray.

That may sound funny, but I can't imagine any athlete not trimming their nails. Getting your nails ripped during game play is painful as hell.

 

[Bill Brasky]

My first thought was that it's to prevent sweat from dripping down their arm and onto their shooting hand, which could affect their grip on the ball. If that was the case then it seems they'd being wearing 'em on both arms. And a sweat band would also work...

edit: Here's the best answer I could find.

"Allen Iverson started the fad way back in his MVP campaign of 2000-01. He had battled elbow bursitis, a tersa sac injury and an elbow contusion. The sleeve was designed to keep the joints warm throughout the game. Rumors still persist the sleeve was conceived to cover profane tattoos, when in reality Iverson's tattoos on his arm are a panther, skull and the name of his "possee". Many players have adapted these shooting sleeves, and the real reason is, much to their protest, a fashion statement."

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: buck
Im sure if they could have more accessories, they would.

Hamilton / Lee face mask?

Lee had his sinus area crushed by DHoward on accident. Rip continues to wear his because he got so used to wearing it after breaking his nose.

If I play basketball again (hell, even football or softball), I'll wear a sleeve because I have a problem with my elbow and one of the muscles in my arm.

 

[five40]

it can also be used to give the referee a clearer view of fouls on the shooting arm. Black on black is harder to see than black on white (yeah yeah I know that can go so many raunchy directions)

 

[ja1484]

Let me go ahead and clear this up:

A compression sleeve is in no way going to influence joint protection, nerve position, or prevent repetitive motion injuries.

It may help to improve circulation to some degree, but twenty-something athletes that spend all day engaged in physical activity or sports conditioning will not need any circulation help.

It might help the thermals a little bit, but only if the interior temperature at the court is well below what most people find comfortable.

Final answer, all bullshitting aside:

It's a fashion statement and possible placebo effect, period. Everything else is laughable.

Originally posted by: dougp
I'll wear a sleeve because I have a problem with my elbow and one of the muscles in my arm.

Why not actually do something effective and get it some rehab instead?