NBA dance teams have crossed line into sleaziness

	This is the NBA's version of "family entertainment" at its best. Michael E. Davis/Getty Images
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These are straitlaced times in the NBA. Players must adhere to proper dress code attire and teams can't take derogatory jabs at other cities. Break the rules, and the league's politically correct police hand down punishments, either in the form of fines or a loss of tattoo privileges.

But in its zeal to transform itself back to the Victorian Age, the NBA may have forgotten to check one of its more racier aspects -- the overzealous and underdressed dance teams.

During timeouts and halftimes, you may very well have witnessed performances that make Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour look like an Up With People concert. And if you managed to snag courtside seats, you probably wondered if some of the dancers were expecting you to stick a folded-up dollar under their garter belts. About the only thing missing for some of these entertainers is a g-string, a shiny gold pole and Motley Crue's Girls, Girls, Girls blaring in the background.

Please understand, this is not an indictment on all dance squads around the league. The Laker Girls, for many years, have successfully bridged that precarious line between wholesome and sexy. Nor do I want to see the NBA turn prude. Goodness knows, here at SI.com we understand as much as anyone the value of an attractive female in rather skimpy attire. (That reminds me -- please check out our latest cheerleader and swimsuit photo galleries.)

But there is a matter of good taste, especially at sporting events that are still considered -- in theory, if not actuality -- family entertainment. Unfortunately, some of these dance choreographers seem to think it's their duty to mix Bob Fosse with Bob Guccione. In fact, earlier this year in Cleveland, Cavs management felt compelled to pull the plug on one dance number that was deemed too risqué. No truth to the rumor that the routine was secretly videotaped and will appear on HBO's Real Sex 32.

Actually, it's OK if these dance numbers are sexy. Just don't make 'em sleazy. Leave that to the Carolina Panthers.