Whether you’re a basketball fan or not, one thing that can't be ignored as of late is the players' style credentials.
Seeing how the playoffs have just been concluded, it’s only right to round up the best outfits. Akin to rappers, NBA players live extravagant lifestyles, often clashing several different luxury brands into a single outfit just to let you know that they're on a different level. And while that remains undisputed, some outfits just don’t cut it while others make the mark.
But before we get into it let's get the honorable mentions out of the way, and the award for the best-dressed player that didn’t make the playoffs this year goes to none other than Kyrie Irving. Often perceived as an enigma, Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly among the top two ball handlers to ever walk the earth with an equally impressive layup package to match.
Along with holding the eighth spot amongst regular season points leaders and the eleventh spot for efficiency, Kyrie’s knack for outfits is as fluid as his play style. Though his career could've easily taken a turn for the worse similar to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, true NBA stans love to see him remain in the league as long as possible and give the title run another shot.
So without further ado, here are the best playoff outfits so far, from Nikola Jokić to the “GOAT” himself.
Cameron Payne
Though the top-heavy Suns were eventually eliminated in the second round by the Denver Nuggets, no team put up a better defensive effort than the cast in Phoenix, and Cameron Payne played a considerable role.
Along with racking up 31 points when Chris Paul went down with an injury, the guard is equally skilled at crafting tasteful ‘fits like the one above that feature a BODE jacket and J Balvin Air Jordan 2s that dropped late last year.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Aside from Rui Hachimura, Vando was the Lakers' biggest pick-up this season and easily increased the team's defensive rating when on the court. While I do wish he could contribute a bit more on the scoring side next season, the power forward is an expert at staying in his lane, which also happens to be proper pre-game outfits.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
KCP has officially entered the conversation as one of the best role players of all time. I mean, who else do you know that manage to win two championships in three years with two separate teams?
And his off-the-field antics have proven to be almost as impressive as on the field, matching baggy jorts with a Story MFG jacket up above.
Nikola Jokić
What more is there to say about the greatest basketball player on the face of the Earth? Along with having consecutive record-breaking seasons and racking up two NBA MVP trophies (it should’ve been three), a Finals MVP, and bringing Denver its first championship since the team was founded 47 years ago, the Serb even prefers to keep himself off social media to truly focus on what's important.
While I’m not expecting to see an Instagram page with dedicated ‘fit pics of what could arguably be the greatest center of all time, at least we’re blessed with Joker’s casual Gucci drip.
Jeff Green
While the term “journeyman” gets thrown around often with a negative connotation, Jeff Green has single-handedly revamped the phrase by uplifting every team he’s been on. There’s no shortage of seasonal highlights where the vet effortlessly puts some of the top defensive players on posters, but his contribution to Denver Nuggets will surely go down in history.
Not every ‘fit needs to be dripping with an Italian designer name and Jeff's aesthetics is surely one we can all relate to.
LeBron James
Though the idea of calling someone the greatest of all time has always seemed kind of strange, but there’s no denying LeBron’s greatness on and off the court. We all know a few 38-year-olds that have trouble even running or constructing an amazing outfit but obviously, LeBron is in a different league.
Sure, the Lakers were eventually eliminated by the Nuggets but by now LeBron has transcended from being a typical athlete and has evolved into a mythical being of near Jordan status. And while Bron has a bit more catching up to do to officially receive the 'GOAT' crown, he might have MJ beat when it comes to style.
Want to keep browsing? Check out the evolution of NBA tunnel fits.
