We have all heard that your fashion sense reflects a part of your personality, and although that may be a subjective statement, it is very apparent within the NBA that these players’ pre-game fits have a direct reflection as to who they are on the court. Arena Entrance has become a part of experiencing the full ambiance of an NBA game. This is a moment where players show up ununiformed with the opportunity to showcase their personal style to the camera in their own concrete catwalk. How do these players’ pre-game fits emphasize their character on the court? I have made the correlation between three incredible NBA players’ (current and retired) drip and the ways in which they shine on the court.
First up, we have Tim Duncan (1997 number one draft pick), who played for the San Antonio Spurs from 1997-2016. He was a power forward and has been considered one of the greatest of all time. His nickname was “The Big Fundamental” because his fundamental skills were exquisite. He was a man who loved the game but did not give in to the drama. T.D. was for the team over himself and was casual, calm, and collected. Similarly, his outfit choices and style mechanisms were nothing short of casual and business. He was never overly flashy with his clothing choices and approached the game of basketball in a similar fashion with no overly fashioned dunks or tricks but with old school basketball fundamentals, was well rounded, and overall a great teammate.
Second, we have Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards. Unlike T.D., Westbrook is known for his overly colorful and flashy outfits that showcase energy and charisma. This directly reflects how he plays on the court with an explosive style that is asking to be looked upon. Being an elite point guard, his mindset seems to be different than others in the sense that he has a score-first mentality where he boldly and confidently trusts in his physical abilities that no one else can compare to, such as his insane amounts of agility, strength, and speed. Similarly, his quirky style is incomparable and screams confidence. Not only is he a top-tier basketball player, but he is at the top of best-dressed NBA players of all time.
Last but not least, we have Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. His style is fun-loving, youthful, and matching. Ja is one of the youngest players on the Grizzlies yet is also their star player. His playing style is unapologetic, unafraid, and all in. He leaves his heart on the court each and every game. With that being said, his style of play has left him injured for the past few weeks. Even though injured, he shows up and brings that same energy with him to the bench. There is a youthfulness about him that stands out against other players and is a quality that makes this team, as a whole, stand out in the best way. His style often consists of matching sets that correlate closely with his matched energy on and off the court. He also has been seen wearing a tie-dye hoodie with a red heart in the middle, which showcases how he puts his entire heart into the game. Sometimes the consequence of going all out and being fearless can lead to injury, but it is a price that Morant is willing to pay for a team and a game that he loves.
For more NBA coverage, click here.
