At 6-feet-10 and 260-plus pounds, Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes is a pretty intimidating figure. And with his new partially shaved hairstyle and bushy beard, Baynes could likely be cast as a warrior on the TV series "Vikings."
In fact, Baynes, a New Zealander by birth but who calls Australia home, said his look was inspired by the legendary Scandinavian Norsemen who were the scourge of France and England in the seventh century.
Asked at practice Tuesday how he'd describe his haircut, Baynes let out a big laugh.
"Probably be a little bit of a man-bun, I suppose, and Viking-inspired," Baynes said. "I watch the 'Vikings' and just decided to change it up."
Baynes said his wife, Rachel, wanted him to go with the style, too.
"She wanted a beard and for me to do something with my hair," he said. "I obliged."
Were other people surprised by his new look?
"They don't question it," Baynes smiled. "They embrace who I am. My wife wanted it, so until she tells me to shave it or cut it off, I'll keep it."
And when he's on the floor?
"Not so much the players _ but more from the fans," Baynes said. "I got a lot of haters. But that's all good. I just laugh at the (insults)."
