From Braids to Fades.

Carmelo Anthony made his NBA debut on Saturday night, going 5-15 from the field, 0-4 from the free throw line, with 5 turnovers. Although he still managed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, you can't help but wonder if his shedding of his trademark braids, is the equivalent to Samson losing his locks.

For the uninitiated, Samson & Delilah is a biblical story. Samson was granted tremendous strength to combat his enemies, and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary men. He fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who was bribed to find out the secret of his strength, (his hair). Having his hair cut while he slept he was imprisoned by his enemies and had his eyes burnt out... obviously not a love story.

Now in no way am I trying to insinuate that his wife LaLa is why he cut his cornrows, (although I thought it was weird when she reportedly refused, to pick him up from the police station after his arrest). But there's a direct correlation with the lack of hair and performance - albeit one game.

I think Melo chopped the hair as part of an image make-over. He's just coming off a 2 game suspension for a DUI charge in the off season, and the 5 year player has made some questionable decisions in the past. Could winning the gold in Beijing with all of those great players had a positive impact on him, who knows? But he looks like a totally different guy.

Adam Morrison did the same thing too, is Ben Wallace next?