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Trendlet: The mohawk

Who knew a haircut that was meant to intimidate could be so cute on Wells Fargo Center's hardwood? The trendlet Mohawks - sheared on the sides with a short stripe of hair from forehead to neck - are as cool on NBA players this season as three-point shots. The Sixers may not be winning, but at least the team's power forward and mohawk-rocker, Robert Covington, is making deft fashion moves.

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.Read moreAP

Who knew a haircut that was meant to intimidate could be so cute on Wells Fargo Center's hardwood?

The trendlet

Mohawks - sheared on the sides with a short stripe of hair from forehead to neck - are as cool on NBA players this season as three-point shots. The Sixers may not be winning, but at least the team's power forward and mohawk-rocker, Robert Covington, is making deft fashion moves.

Where's it come from?

Although the mohawk (also known as the Mohican) is named after a tribe of indigenous people who lived in the Mohawk Valley, now Upstate New York, the style has been a key element in warrior fashion since the prehistoric era.

Mohawks were introduced to pop culture during World War II, when 82d Airborne paratroopers wore them during the invasion of Normandy to scare the Germans.

Punk rockers adopted the mohawk as their signature haircut in the 1980s. During that decade, it was also Mr. T - probably the favorite mohawk-wearer of all time - who made the mohawk (and layers of gold chains) as lovable as B.A. Baracus on The A-Team.

In 2005, Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell made major style fodder when he hit the field in a frohawk in a playoff game against the New England Patriots.

In recent years, shaved sides - for men and women - have become popular, spawning myriad "hawks," including curly hawks, braided hawks, and pony hawks (think man bun with shaved sides).

Who's wearing it?

James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Nick Young of the L.A. Lakers, and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. NFL players - in real life and on TV - also have given the modified mohawk some love: Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers and fictional Ricky Jerret of the Miami Dolphins on HBO's summer series Ballers.

Would Elizabeth wear one?

Umm, no. But she'd date a guy who does - especially if he's also wearing a navy Ralph Lauren Black Label suit (but I digress).

Should you wear it?

Only if you're a bad boy on the outside who's a teddy bear on the inside.

ewellington@phillynews.com

215-854-2704

@ewellingtonphl