Come one, all. Welcome to what will be formally — or informally depending on how you come dressed — known as the 2022-23 weekly NBA Style Rankings.
I’ve grown up watching fashion across the NBA evolve, from draft-night suits using enough fabric to clothe a small town to button-down shirts with vests and glasses that were not prescription, to players arriving at the infamous pregame locker-room walk with whatever their imaginations will allow.
One thing has always been obvious: Fashion is an art form through which people express themselves just as much as a crossover or jump shot — and it’s fascinating to see how things change from season to season. Depending on the player, even game to game.
This weekly signature’s core value is pure positivity. I’m not here to pick apart fits that aren’t my cup of tea. Instead, I’ll highlight the freshest fits that I’ve seen over the week.
Without further adieu, let’s get into it.
We are grateful @jarenjacksonjr @memgrizzThanks for being a partner with me to get the entire team hoodies + T-shirts. BG you’re not forgotten and I can’t wait to meet you when you get out 🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/3UfvMyrC3G
— Jigg (@stayjiggyizzy) October 20, 2022
Ja MorantAnd the Memphis Grizzlies wore hoodies in support of Brittney Griner, WNBA star who has been held in Russia since more than six months. Drug smuggling charges and drug possession.
Forward has teamed up with the Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr.’s mother to create a fashionable way to stand in solidarity with Griner. Fashion is always a form for expression. However, when the expression has deeper meaning, it can be more powerful.
The design features Griner smiling, holding a ball that says “We Are BG” on the front, “Griner 42” on the back, and the Phoenix Mercury logo with flames on the sleeves. In addition to this hoodie actually meaning something, it’s really fly.
Go east with your fleece. (📸: @sammironko) pic.twitter.com/7YjpsZrEZd
— LeagueFits (@leaguefits) October 18, 2022
The Celtics were not the only ones to do this. Lose to the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night, but they also comfortably stole two spots on this week’s rankings. This Dolce & Gabbana fleece made the list, and it’s on point.
Tatum paired the comfy look with baggy, black cargo pants (a favorite in my closet). Once again, it was 54 degrees in Boston on Tuesday night, so it wasn’t just for show. Tatum’s fit supports Deion Sanders’ “look good, feel good, play good” theory, as he had a game-high 35 points, 12 rebounds, and four points in the win.
And you can’t forget the Jordan 1s. If you can make a good fit with shoes, you stand a chance of being in my weekly rankings.
Now is the time to start the jaylen-brown 2023 all-leaguefits campaign. (📸: @sammironko) pic.twitter.com/RYR3s8AKnV
— LeagueFits (@leaguefits) October 18, 2022
Brown’s fit tells me one thing and one thing one only: He had no doubts the Celtics were beating the 76ers on opening night — and he was right. Brown ended with 35 points and three rebounds. He also had two assists, two steals and one block. The monochromatic black and brown look was elegant, reminding of Blade or the Matrix in a best possible way.
One thing you’ll learn as weeks go on with these rankings: I love baggy and/or cargo pants. These pants tick both boxes. The leather jacket was perfect for the cool evening in Boston. The shades let you know that he was serious about business.
This was a mature, smooth look that is suitable for a 35 piece.
this is for everyone who comments “d’angelo russell dresses like a cool substitute teacher” on all his leaguefits posts. pic.twitter.com/rQsadgGUpE
— LeagueFits (@leaguefits) October 19, 2022
Russell was the only person I could see from weekend and opening week with the best fit.
The sweater’s detail grabs your attention, and the contrast of his white collared shirt makes the dark green circles pop. His pants are distinctive with their darker fabric rectangles at the kneecaps. However, they do not detract from his sweater’s extravagance.
Let’s also take a moment to appreciate how the sleeve of his white dress shirt sticks out from under the sleeve of his sweater. These subtleties will keep you in my weekly rankings, and they are often very high up on my list.
The matte, forest-green F-150 isn’t a bad accessory, either.
Business. pic.twitter.com/6uNXAxuQnu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 18, 2022
James stole opening night, before he had even touched the hardwood. It was unclear if he was paying respect to his grandfather. Draft night suit 20 years later is something I’ll leave for you to ruminate on. I can only say that he was the most well-dressed player for the season.
The double-breasted, white-on-white, shirtless suit with the pearls and white Air Force 1s was an ode to Dej Loaf’s “Try Me” lyric: “Rock that all white when I’m feeling godly.” James went off for 31 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Have a look at the wristwear. The accessories include a pinky ring and a platinum Cartier bracelet. I give this fit a near perfect 9.5/10. Bravo Bron.
(Photo by LeBron Jam: Ezra Shaw/Getty images)
