The NBA finals is one of the most exciting periods of the year for sports fans in the US. Hosting the best teams from around each conference, we can bear witness to some of the greatest athletes in the world doing what they do best. The Boston Celtics are currently favorites to win the Championship this year according to https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/nba-finals--odds. However, it is not just what we see on the court that the NBA finals are known for. The fashion of the players that appear in the games is often talked about with everything from the extremely casual to the extravagant catching our eyes. We often see the camera following the players for their tunnel walks during the playoffs and even the likes of Shaq and Charles Barkley can’t help but critique the looks. If it’s good enough for two of the GOATs then it’s good enough for us so let’s take a look at some of the fashionista’s of the NBA finals.
PJ Tucker – Round 1, Game 3 2021
Although he may be a veteran in the league at 38-years-old, PJ Tucker is able to keep up with the young guns when it comes to dressing to impress. Whilst playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals, Tucker headed through the tunnel in a green Valentino crochet bowling shirt embroidered with large pink flowers. He paired this with a simple pair of brown trousers and the “Neptune Green” Kasina x Nike Dunk Lows. The rest of his looks during the finals run this year were ranged from the great to the extravagant but this was the one that showed he has his ear to the ground when it comes to fashion.
LeBron James – Round 1, Game 1 2023
When it comes to fashion, there have been a range of hits and misses for ‘The King’. However, his look for game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs this year was a hit for a couple of reasons, one being his love for sneakers. He repped the black Nike x Tiffany Co. Air Force 1s which were paired with a cream cashmere jacket with white slacks. A great colorway whilst keeping it simple, this has been one of the looks of the playoffs so far and with the Lakers through to the semifinals there is no doubt plenty more to come from LeBron.
James Harden – Semis, Game 3 2022
Harden is another who has been somewhat polarizing when it came to his fits for the tunnel walk, but this number showed that his tastes are there. He wore the adidas x Gucci collab pullover jacket paired with the bag from the same release as he prepared to face the Miami Heat in game 3 last season. A pair of light brown slacks balanced out the vibrancy of his overwear excellently and this getup definitely belongs on the ‘Good’ side of the Philadelphia 76ers guard’s outfits.
Jayson Tatum – Finals, Game 1 2022
This was the talk of the tunnel looks in last years opening finals game. Tatum stepped out in a Dolce and Gabbana patchwork jacket combined with a white T-Shirt and stretch black cotton pants. The jacket had leopard print cuffs and a patterned collar along with a pink and black colorway down the left side. Plenty of thought was clearly put into crafting this outfit as he wore a pair of custom black and pink Nike Dunks to compliment the jacket.
Whilst there are plenty of great looks that become the talk of the tunnel during the finals, there are of course some that draw the eye for the wrong reasons. James Harden was roasted by fans and pundits alike for his Game 1 look in the semifinals against Boston early on in May. TNT’s Charles Barkley remarked “That’s like The Muppets, ain’t it?” when he stepped out in a royal blue fur jacket and fur wide-leg pants. Barkley and the rest of twitter drew comparisons to the Cookie Monster for Harden, although his 45 point performance that night meant he had the last laugh.
Russell Westbrook is another player known for his somewhat questionable choices of fashion, especially during the playoffs. He has toned it down somewhat in the last couple of years however and his outfit of choice in Game 5 of the first round this year was one of his best. Keeping it very simple with a buttoned down true religion shirt and denim shorts, Russ looked cool, calm, collected and suave all at once. Barkley this time was full of praise for the LA Clippers point guard, remarking “If I had a body like that I’d walk round naked!”
As the playoffs roll on, we are sure to see plenty more great looks coming down the tunnel. With the finals approaching in due course we may just be waiting to see the best that has been saved for last.