LeBron. Melo. The 2003 NBA Draft.

One of the greatest classes ever drafted, and arguably some of the worst fits of all-time.

But this is such an important photo.

It represents a paradigm shift for the league's relationship to fashion. Quick history lesson

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Let’s talk about what was happening at the time.

Well, baggy suits were in. I repeat. Baggy. Was. In.

Off the court, hip hop & rap were intertwined with basketball, with artists heavily influencing players style at the time.

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On the court, Allen Iverson was a beacon for self-expression. At the height of his career, he was always known for rocking oversized fits and jewelry on the daily.

And he influenced the whole league.

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In 2005, then-commissioner, David Stern, implemented a strict dress code, citing the need for “professionalism” in the league.

A lot of players felt the league was being racist, targeting black players (AI in particular) who just wanted to wear what they wanted on game day.

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Here's a great piece on how this policy changed the league: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/how-david-sterns-nba-dress-code-changed-mens-fashion-104719/

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When the league’s swift rule made it tough to rock anything outside formal wear, players adapted and went tailored.

But it didn’t stay that way.

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The league relaxed those rules later on, and by the early 2010s, you’d have guys reporting for duty looking like they stepped straight out of London Fashion Week.

Here are a few defining characters…
- Dwayne Wade
- Russell Westbrook

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D-Wade.

He was off to the races early, often known for taking tailored, sartorial fits to the next level. It was about fit, yes, but he also experimented with florals and funky patterns too.

GQ featured him often online, in mag, and at events.

08/

Russ.

Where do we start?

Hands-down the modern day icon blending fashion + basketball. He went from tailored to sporty, repping overtly European designers, like YSL, Comme des Garçons, and Balenciaga.

He really elevated what was possible for players.

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He even teamed up with Barneys NY as an ambassador a few years back too, designing his own collections. https://sports.yahoo.com/russell-westbrook-s-barneys-fashion-collection-is-suitably-ridiculous-060942537.html?y20=1

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Nowadays...

Game day is an arms race for who can wear the most flashy, exclusive, and sometimes outlandish drip.

Besides Russ, players like James Harden, Kyle Kuzma, PJ Tucker have all carved their own style lanes.

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Even today, designers are forging tight partnerships with teams and players.

In 2018, luxury brand Thom Browne suited up the entire Cavs squad during the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Iconic.

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So there you have it. A petty rule made in 2005 changed the league forever.

Wanna see how players dress now? Check out last year's NBA Draft photo.

Kids these days...