In October of 2005, former NBA commissioner David Stern unknowingly sparked a fashion revolution. His implementation of the first dress code in American professional sports has turned the NBA season into an eight-month-long fashion week with tunnels doubling as the runway (the Houston Rockets even have an actual red carpet for walk-ins).
The NBA was facing some serious image issues following the fan v. player brawl later coined “Malice At The Palace.” Controlling the physical appearance of players and requiring they contribute to basketball charities were how Stern hoped to improve public perception of the NBA.
There were mixed reviews, some players accepted the dress code as part of the job while many African American players felt it was a direct attack on their culture and personal identity. However, being the literal ballers that they were, most treated the dress code as a challenge and players have since become some of the most stylish men in the world.
Thankfully the dress code is not currently ‘strictly’ enforced and players have leeway in intertwining their identity and personal likeness with their wardrobe. Players are wearing everything from elaborate custom-made suits to colorful designer activewear and luxury street apparel.
Recently, there have been some BIG changes to fashion within the NBA.
First, there’s the latest and greatest accessory, masks! Whether it’s the team logo, stark colors, or intricate patterns, masks are not overlooked as an important part of the perfect outfit.
As citizens of the world continue to fight against systemic racism and stand with the Black Lives Matter Movement, the concept of ‘business as usual’ within the NBA would be an injustice in and of itself, especially in a league that to this day, has African American majority among players. In a smart move, and frankly the only appropriate option, the NBA has tried to come up with ways to play out the season without distracting from the movement. This season players have the option to transform the back of their jersey into a statement for social justice (as long as it’s approved by the league).
Now, I like many basketball and fashion fans was seriously looking forward to players strutting the outfits we didn’t get to see earlier this year. Too bad that’s not happening. The dress code, along with everything else about professional basketball, will look very different inside the Orlando bubble. Part of the NBA COVID-19 protocol is no changing in the locker room, and therefore the (momentary) end to tunnel walk fashion shows.
Upon arrival to Orlando, most players wore a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers, which is probably all we’re going to get this season. Players may put extra effort into sprucing up the average quarantine outfit, but unless James Harden decides to dress up just for the ‘gram’, it’s time to kiss the potential for head-to-toe iconic looks goodbye.
In order to get us through these trying, fashion-less times, I’ve chosen the best-dressed player from each of the 22 teams in the Orlando bubble. Here are the NBA’s greatest fits of the 2019-2020 season.
Phoenix Suns – Cheick Diallo
Born in Kayes, Mali, Diallo often pays homage to his West African roots through his clothing. This Afro styled tracksuit and Afro modern polo from Sindio is a flawless combination of ethnic patterns and modish design. Paired with white high top Air Jordan’s featuring the colors of the Mali flag, Diallo creates a sleek look that is both elegant and cultural.
San Antonio Spurs – Rudy Gay
This Spurs small forward is all about trendy, high end, urban wear. With looks like this t-shirt, vest and jogger combo, Gay’s style is relatable and attainable. As long as you ignore the $1,100 Dior high-tops, ALYX Studios vest with a price tag upwards of $700 and Rick Owens casual pant which can range from $500-$1,500.
Sacramento Kings – Buddy Hield
His style is minimalistic and boy does he love hoodies. This generation is all about applying trends from the past to one’s personal style and Hield looks right out of a 1990’s Nike Catalogue. The all pink Nike sweat suit, jean jacket and ‘Pine Green’ Sacai X Nike LDV Waffle shoe is an impeccable modernization of popular 90’s colors and staple items. If I could give this look a chef’s kiss, I would.
New Orleans Pelicans – Nickeil Alexander–Walker
The Italian luxury brand Off-White is a fan favorite among NBA players and Pelicans rookie point guard Nickeil Alexander is no exception. This purple paisley block pattern jacket and dye treated jeans are a contemporary urbanization of the classic Canadian Tuxedo.
Portland Trail Blazers – Carmelo Anthony
As a 16-season veteran of the league, Carmelo Anthony has transformed from one of the most notoriously horrendous dressers in the NBA to one of the top tier fashionistas in major league sports. Here, Melo stays true to his locker-room meets boardroom style. Opting for orange joggers, a matching turtleneck, taupe overcoat and Sprayground camo money shark duffle.
Memphis Grizzlies – De’Anthony Melton
Melton is both warm-up and runway ready in this striking black and red striped jacket from Perry Ellis. He amplifies the stark contrast between black, white and red by choosing analogous pants; white sneakers to accent the jacket and red Beats for the full NBA tunnel walk effect.
Dallas Mavericks – Dwight Powell
Dwight Powell is probably one of the only players in the NBA right now who wouldn’t need to change his wardrobe if Adam Silver suddenly decided to stringently enforce the 2005 dress code. Powell’s caption reads “Dressing well is a form of good manners –Tom Ford” and he lives by it, rarely arriving in anything shy of red-carpet ready attire. A beautiful suit is timeless and Powell in this Tom Ford single-breasted suit reminds us why.
Utah Jazz – Mike Conley
Conley has a very rustic, laid-back style filled with earth tones and plenty of layers. Here the Jazz point guard creates a personalized haute couture ensemble using a deep mustard color in his shoes and hoodie with an ultramodern iridescent jacket and short combo from Fear of God.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Dennis Schröder
The German-born point-guard never fails to remind us that Europe is always ahead of American fashion. Schröder has one of the most diverse wardrobes in the league and rarely fails to coordinate a matching beanie; fittingly he was dubbed the “beanie king” by his OKC teammates. This outfit is a perfect example of what Schroder does best; combining vibrant colors and striking patterns, toned down and pulled together by solid color accessories.
Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James
Bags are to LeBron as beanies are to Dennis Schröder. Sure, the rest of the outfit looks great, but the accessories are what make it. Small bags are a staple in the wardrobe of every professional basketball player but similar to his career, LeBron’s extravagant collection is unparalleled. Usually, the future Hall of Famer carries designer backpacks and Dopp kits. However, in Denver, he kept it sensible and cozy with a Supreme X RIMOWA spider web roller suitcase, cowl neck hoodie, beanie and distressed jeans, accented with a gray overcoat and gray socks.
Denver Nuggets – Troy Daniels
Troy Daniels says this is one of his favorite looks of the year and I could not agree more. The Nuggets were playing the Mavericks in Dallas and the effort put into this country inspired ensemble will not go unnoticed. Daniels may be a Denverite now but the cow print jacket, straight leg jeans and brown leather boots scream L.A meets Texas.
Los Angeles Clippers – Montrezl Harrell
Since partnering with Reebok to reintroduce the Classic Kamikaze 2 Sneaker, Trezz has added retro garb to his eclectic game day fits. In honor of classic Reebok comebacks, Trezz paired the rereleased multi-color Shaq Attaq Pumps with a matching old-school Reebok windbreaker. Making the most of his $12 million contract, he chose to accent the gold trim on the jacket and pumps with a gold watch, sunglasses and multiple gold chains.
Houston Rockets – Russell Westbrook
In the world of professional basketball, Russell Westbrook sets the benchmark for excellence on and off the court. It also probably doesn’t hurt that his fellow Houston Rockets P.J Tucker and James Harden happen to be two of the best-dressed athletes in professional sports. Westbrook is consistently pushing the limits of fashion with futuristic, daring looks. His metallic jacket, leather pants and A$AP Nast x Converse is what I imagine street-wear on the moon would look like, and I mean that as a compliment.
Washington Wizards – Rui Hachimura
The 2005 dress code required players to wear sports coats and dress shoes when sitting on the bench and its pretty much the only rule current players remotely follow. Prior to the NBA shutdown, Hachimura was out with a groin injury for seven weeks, impressing us with his style on the bench rather than his first-round draft pick abilities on the court. Here Rui puts his own spin on business casual, distracting us from his ripped jeans with a black sport coat and sneaking in pops of cheetah print on his sneakers and the hood of his sweatshirt.
Indiana Pacers- Victor Oladipo
In an era where throwing way too many patterns, colors and designer labels together is often mistaken for having style; I’m a sucker for simplicity and Victor Oladipo only wears outfits that just make sense. Here, the Pacers point guard keeps it lemony fresh by adding the Victor Oladipo neon yellow Express bomber jacket and matching sneakers to his all-black casual look. Oladipo ups the sophistication of his ensembles by toting luxury bags, for this outfit he chose an understated black Louis Vuitton backpack.
Boston Celtics – Jayson Tatum
The Celtics star served up some serious nostalgia with this crocheted Louis Vuitton varsity jacket and high top Nike’s. Tatum’s understated wardrobe of hoodies and sneakers brings me back to the simplicity of high school basketball.
Toronto Raptors – Serge Ibaka
This entire list could be made up entirely of Serge Ibaka’s iconic looks. It’s nearly impossible to distinguish his tunnel walks and Instagram photos from a Vogue cover shoot. No Serge Ibaka look is complete without at least one of the following: a scarf, hat, handbag and beautiful jewelry. Here, Ibaka elevates a casual monochromatic jumpsuit with vibrantly colored sneakers, complimenting a silk scarf layered with a black Nobis jacket and wool bucket hat. As a global ambassador for Nobis, Ibaka could be getting some help with his runway-ready looks but that’s all the more reason to follow the Celtics center for fashion-forward inspiration.
Orlando Magic – Aaron Gordon
Gordon likes to keep it classy and classic, typically opting for a suit or casual look dressed up by a blazer, but even his athleisure is refined. It was a difficult choice between Gordon’s gorgeous pinstripe suit and this pinstripe sweatsuit. The sweatsuit won out because A.) It’s the next best thing to a pinstripe suit and B.) Matching your fit to your team is an underdone and undervalued aesthetic.
Philadelphia 76ers – Tobias Harris
This one is kind of cheating but being the 76ers resident fashion man, the team produced a feature and look-book chronicling Harris’s game day outfits. He told team reporter Lauren Rosen that his style this season is all about stepping outside the box and “trying different flavors.” Luckily with this post, Harris gives us a little taste of every flavor.
Brooklyn Nets – Caris Levert
In true NBA fashion, this look comes together in the shoes. Arriving at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC Levert donned one of his many puffer jackets and flannels in this tone on tone, lagenlook style outfit. The top is simple, pulling out tones from his colorful Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. Even the horses on his t-shirt match the laces on his kicks, five stars for attention to detail.
Miami Heat – Tyler Herro
Okay, despite there being plenty of well-dressed players on the Miami Heat, Tyler Herro was the obvious choice for one reason; he IS Miami. Sure, he may be channeling 1980’s Miami but regardless, he’s in his first season with the Heat and has fully committed to the South Beach style. There’s no outfit that says Miami better than an all-white suit, vibrant turtleneck, matching sunnies and a chain. Basically, Herro is the modern-day James Crockett and I hope to see a never-ending stream of pastel suits and silk shirts.
Milwaukee Bucks – Robin Lopez
Robin Lopez may not have made this list if we were talking best dressed overall, but when it comes to best fits Lopez wins out. If it isn’t clear by now, having fun and putting thought into an outfit is just as important as the outfit itself. Given that the remainder of the season will be played in Orlando, Florida home of Disney World, it’s admirable that Lopez showed some love for The Happiest Place on Earth. The Bucks sweatpants may not have been the best choice but the Donald Duck varsity jacket over a Goofy Movie inspired t-shirt makes up for it 100x over.
More from The Woody Paige Sports Network:
- Target these NFL regular season win totals with confidence in 2020
- Complete scrubbing of NFL exhibition season makes it even tougher to beat the odds
- Woody Paige: That time I played blackjack with Michael Jordan in Monte Carlo
- 10 of the most influential and badass women in sports: 5. Katie Nolan
- 10 of the most influential and badass women in sports: 6. Mikaela Shiffrin
- 10 of the most influential and badass women in sports: 10. Becky Hammon
