Fashion and style have long been part of the NBA, especially in a league filled with star power. It's also showed a glimpse at some questionable style choices, from Paul George showing up to his postgame presser looking like he just stepped out of a lime jello mold to the wacky suit choices some players sport on draft day.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker has been associated with style since he landed in the NBA as a fresh-faced 19-year-old from France. Being the son of a model never hurt, but Parker's draft day decision to go with the "Regis" look got him on best dressed draft lists on several media outlets.
Luckily for the Spurs and fans, Parker's fashionable wardrobe decisions were still far from his best talents on the hardwood.
Esquire's style blog recently caught up the 2nd Team All NBA guard between Game 1 and 2 of the Western Confrence Finals.
Parker said he was aware of the shift of the NBA being the most fashion-concious league in pro sports.
"Yeah, I've been watching it happen and I think it's a great thing. I'm impressed with how the NBA, as a whole, is dressing so well. Guys are being very creative and having fun with it," Parker told Esquire.
Creativity has never been in question, from players wearing backpacks to the podium, the Shumpert/Cole hairstyle and then come the odd choices like wearing leather jogging pants during All-Star weekend or wearing a jacket that looks like it was color by number or inspired by Chris "The Birdman" Andersen.
So when Parker chose his best-dressed NBA players, let's hope it's based on level of creativity only.
"There's a lot of standouts but I'd probably have to say Dwyane Wade. He always looks good. And Russell Westbrook is a lot of fun to watch," Parker said.
While I would never be considered style-concious, let's hope, for Parker's sake, that the trend of wearing capris stops at the two above-mentioned players. That's likely a safe bet considering Parker seems to favor more of a t-shirt or button up and jeans combo, which works with the Wap Two line he helped launch recently.
Spurs fans are likely most interested in the other "outfit" they see him in most often…the silver and black. And as far as style goes, a nice piece of jewelry, say a fourth championship ring, would be the ultimate accessory.
