Over the years, NBA players' pre- and post-game outfits have become almost has scrutinized as their play in the game itself. Before players take the court, fans tune in just to get a glimpse of what they are wearing. As The New York Times points out, the ritual of walking to the locker room before the game has become very much like walking the runway.Â
Each arena's tunnel has become a concrete catwalk for players' to debut their latest 'fits. But, much like a fashion show, the event will draw its critics, so players are doing their best to bring their A-game.
"You stress over outfits for days," the Stephen Curry told The New York Times, "and you wind up wearing it for 30 seconds when you walk from the parking lot to the locker room."
Players like Curry are bombarded with cameras as soon as they step out of the car. So, the Golden State Warriors' guard says he takes extra precautions to make sure everything is in place.
"I’ve got to make sure everything looks good coming out of the car," Curry said. "You don’t want to have a missed button or a wrinkled shirt."
The stress is understandable considering social media users are quick to roast them over their outfits, even if they are only seen wearing them for a minute.Â
Curry said that he didn't actually start thinking about his outfits until his first playoffs appearance in 2013, but now it is part of his game day ritual.Â
"I would wear most of this stuff anyway, especially for the playoffs," he said. "You want to feel good for each game."
This "dress well, play well" mentality seemed to be shared by Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook, who brought out his flashiest fits for his recent bout in the playoffs against the Warriors. Ultimately his team lost, but the strategy might be working for Curry, since he is approaching Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he already has a leg up with his off-court style.
