Playoffs 2008: Let the Beard Begin!

Posted By: Adam Beechen
April 16, 2008 2:15 PM

It’s really much more of a tradition in sports like football, baseball and hockey. Every year, once the regular season ends and the “second season” begins, hardy warriors on teams that remain in the hunt opt to not shave their whiskers until their team either wins it all or is eliminated.

Go, Suns, go! Grow, beard, grow!

It’s a superstition and a sign of focus: Nothing other than the team matters. Chores such as shaving can wait for another day when the important work of winning a title is completed, one way or the other (I’m assuming showering remains a priority, but I’m not getting close enough to any of those guys to ask them). In the NHL, where the playoffs last even longer than in the NBA, if you can believe that, you wind up with some pretty scraggly looking guys. They don’t care how they look. It’s all about the team, and if they bring home the trophy, then every stray chin follicle was worth it.

In the spirit of that level of commitment, I’ve decided to grow a Phoenix Suns 2008 Playoff Beard. The regular season ends Wednesday night. Thus, Wednesday morning will be the last day I shave until the Suns are eliminated from the playoffs or are crowned champions. I’ll be documenting my journey periodically with photos so you can see how it’s coming along. Attached to this blog will be the first photo – me, clean-shaven except for my short mustache and beard (which I ain’t shaving so I can start clean – I’ve had this thing for fifteen years and it’s not going anywhere…except that it’s going to get longer, obviously).

I’ve recently started a new job. I’m seeing someone. And in the next week, I’ll be going to two Passover seders. In short, now’s probably a time for me to be pretty concerned about my appearance. But these are the playoffs, these are the Suns, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to support them. If the Suns extend their run into June, I could start looking like a replacement guitarist for ZZ Top. Fine. It’s about the team.

I’m leading with my chin.

Comments

Colton Mcknight - Chandler AZ
I'm right there with you. My wife wont like it but win or go home. I'll shave then.

John S. - Surprise AZ
Regular season is over, bring on the Spurs. If this really is the Suns year, it's fitting we start with the current champs. What a statement it would make to take out San Antonio in the first round. If our Suns are ever going to play to their potential, now is the time to step up. What sweet justice it would be after the great NBA robbery last year.

Matt B. - Chandler, AZ
Grow Beard Grow!! This is the year!!! Bring on the Spurs!!!

stan - California
Suns vs Spurs should be a great match up. I'm looking forward to watching the Suns beat the Spurs like they did during the regular season. Since the Suns got Shaq for beating teams like the Spurs who have a dominant big man like Duncan.

nbachamp - phx
I don't know about the beard and all that, but I do know that the Suns need all the support they can get. How appropriate the mega of all mega road blocks for the Suns, is the Spurs in the first round. I do not really count the regular series as motivation because most people know the playoffs mean something different but I like our chances going in. SUNS HAVE TO BE READY!!

Steven J. Koek - Suns.com
Like minds think alike. We are currently in deep discussions regarding The 2008 Suns.com Newsroom Playoff Beards. Some are scoffing at the notion or coming up with insufficient alternatives, others want a no shaving or trimming at all policy. I say we go for it!

Jester32 - Phoenix
let the beards grow.

Jeff Bouley - Saco, Maine
Hey, Adam...I actually grew my full beard back again after having just the goatee for a few years...so I'm already pretty hairy and my growth won't look as dramatic as yours. But I'll pitch in some moral follicle support!

S R - Tempe
Anything women can do, to show support? :)

tito83 - tucson
Already have my Stanley Cup beard goin' now since last week. You should see all the clean shaven Ottawa fans this morning!

Adam,

You have to clean shave 100%.

You can trim after each round.

You can shave up til the day before the day of the first game, so you can shave up til 11:59pm on Saturday.

Go Suns!

Jose Valenzuela - Glendale,AZ
I'M WITH YOU MY WIFE ALSO WILL NOT LIKE IT BUT HERE WE GO WILL NOT SHAVE TILL WE WIN OR GO HOME THIS IS THE YEAR THE SUNS WILL WIN GO SUNS!!!!!!

Unknown -
Phoenix

just a kid... THAT LOVES THE SUNS i dont have a beard so i need an idea on how to show my support. place ideas on the comment board plz i need an idea.

p.s.if i had a beard i would join you guys

Basking in the SUN and running through BOBCAT country - Charlotte
What the women will do, someone ask? As we always do be the back bone and support OUR team and OUR men. Keep those heads clean and those goatees blocked nicely. We will cook for the playoffs, keep your beer and AMPS cold. Finally,when the SUNS bring it home; we will be cheering louder then your boys! Come BIG CACTUS showing it is your time: PLAYOFF TIME BABY!

Pev - Maricopa
I'm already growing one out here in Maricopa. Hey unknown I shaved SUNS into my hair for the Finals run in in '93.

G - Tx
I hope you are getting your shaving cream and razor ready.

Adam Beechen -
Ladies and Kids: It's hard to type, what with all my long whiskers dangling to the keyboard and getting in the way, but I've read your questions and comments, wondering what you can do that might be the equivalent of a playoff beard...How about wearing something purple and/or orange every day until the Suns win it all or are eliminated? J-Dog: Thanks for the follicle support -- I'll take all the hair I can get! G: It took a pretty superhuman effort for the Spurs to eat the Suns in Game 1...I wouldn't exactly be counting my chickens yet. I'll post my thoughts Wednesday about the first two games -- along with an updated picture of Beechen Beard 2008!

TrackBack Link

Posted By: Adam BeechenApril 16, 2008 2:15 PM

Comments

Posted By: Adam Beechen
April 16, 2008 2:15 PM