I’ve spent many hours on Instagram entranced by the 10-second videos of NBA players walking to the locker room on a runway flanked by heating pipes, trash bins, and now, photographers. It's an amusing way to get somewhat unfiltered insight into the teams — possibly fighting pre-game nerves whilst sporting the season's coolest hoodies, suits, and sneakers.
It's difficult to flex your personal style when participating in a team sport where uniforms are a requirement, which is exactly why these arrivals are so compelling. With so many Instagram accounts dedicated to reporting on what each player is wearing, Win or lose it's a spectacle just showing up for the game, the NBA Arrivals are an event in itself at this point. Players are now not only inspiring kids to be professional basketball players but having an influence on their personal style.
Ahead, of Monday evening's NBA Awards, we decided to dish out some accolades of our own. Here's R29's NBA Fashion Awards.
Best Use of Luxury Goods: James Harden
Based on what we've seen this year, James Harden subscribes to the idea that the more designers you wear, the more stylish you are (almost everything he wears is recognizably fresh off of the runway from the previous season). Here he is in Calvin Klein 205W39NYC, but a simple Google search will yield images of the Houston Rockets player in head-to-toe Dries Van Noten, Gucci, and Balenciaga, among many other luxury brands.
Best 'I Woke Up Like This:' Nick Young
Remember the 'pajama dressing as daywear' trend? So does Golden State Warriors' Nick Young, and he has swan-dived head-first into the trend with silk robes, shorts that look like boxers, and the most important accessory, an overall IDGAF attitude.
Best Suit: Victor Oladipo
A good suit goes a long way. It's a shame to think that all of the fuss that comes with getting suited-up is all for a short five-minute walk, but we want Indiana Pacer Victor Oladipo to know that all of the effort was not lost — and that we very much appreciate his three-piece getup.
Best Denim: Jordan Clarkson
It's hard to find denim on the NBA Arrivals runway that isn't ripped or bleached (or both!). But this pair of jeans 1) has a perfect wash, and 2) is styled exactly how we would have worn them. The Cavs' Jordan Clarkson, a man after our own denim-clad heart.
Best Accessory: Donovan Mitchell
While most players carry a dopp kit/toiletry bag, Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell has to carry a very pink, fairy-winged backpack as a rite of passage. We're here for it, though.
Best Trendsetter: Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook has been at the forefront of style in the NBA (seriously, he just went to the CFDA Awards) ever since he walked off the bus wearing a bright orange Vetements tee. He has an ineffable cool that makes whatever he wears look really good, like turtlenecks with suits and bucket hats.
Best 'Cool Grandpa:' Dwyane Wade
Two cardigans later and we're excited to see that Dwayne Wade is leaning in to the grandpa look. Knitwear isn't something typically seen on NBA Arrivals runway, so +3 points to the Miami Heat player for stepping out of his style comfort zone (though, we can't say we're surprised).
Best BFFs: PJ Tucker & James Harden
Our dream for next season is that these Rockets teammates start intentionally coordinating their pre-game looks. Our only question: Do you think they listen to the same music for optimal walk synchronization?
B est Team Style: The Cleveland Cavaliers
This season reached peak NBA arrivals style with Cleveland's custom-made series of Thom Browne suits. "All of us suiting up together was just a new idea and something we all wanted to try,” James told The New York Times of their style choice. And we get it: There's nothing more intimidating to the other team than a united front, especially when they're dressed by one of fashion's most influential designers.
Best Overall Everything: LeBron James
LeBron James is considered the best basketball player in the world and is the winner of many (very real) MVP awards. We're awarding him with fashion MVP because of his ability to bring the runway to Cleveland (see previous slide) while also having a down-to-earth, approachable aesthetic. He's a man that wears many hats (and turtlenecks).
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