LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers Are the Best-Dressed Team in the NBA
It's the Red Wedding of the NBA Style Wars. Tonight, before Game 3 of their playoff series with the Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers turned up wearing Thom Browne—all Thom Browne. It wasn't just a few of the team's star players or fashion plates wearing the designer's easy-to-spot shrunken silhouette, it was all 15 team members, including head coach Tyronn Lue. If Russell Westbrook in a shredded sweatshirt or Chris Paul's sideline suits made waves in the world of style, this was a tsunami.
From LeBron James to J.R. Smith to Jordan Clarkson, each entered Indianapolis' Bankers Life Fieldhouse wearing made-to-measure Thom Brown gray Super 120s twill suits, with a white oxford shirt, a tie, cashmere cardigan with 4-bar band detail, and black pebble grain boots or sneakers, with some carrying T.B. duffels and bags (and in LeBron James's case, one epic alligator Mr. Thom bag that rings in at a cool $41K). The fits were unmistakably Thom Browne, the kind that Browne's team—and the designer himself, who is a king of uniform dressing—wear on the daily. While it may not be daily, James & Co. will be wearing their looks again; the team plans to get back into the suited looks for every on-the-road game during the remainder of the playoffs.
1250_04202018_Pacers_Cavaliers_Butler_0019
1250_04202018_Pacers_Cavaliers_Butler_0012
The Cavaliers' new off-court team uniform is being called a collaboration between Browne and James in a press release from the New York City-based brand. According to The New York Times, the idea was originally conceived by James's former teammate (and ongoing vacation bff) Dwyane Wade and the designer at an awards show last year. Wade's trade to the Miami Heat earlier this year didn't deter James from making good on the concept—clearly.
But this isn't just a power move in the oneupmanship game that's fuels a lot of NBA style, it's also a smart way for James and his teammates to show a unified front without saying a word. “It represents all of it — camaraderie, solidarity, brotherhood,” James emailed the Times. “It definitely creates a feeling like we are one and in this together.” Browne echoed that sentiment in a press release, saying it "...is a cultural statement that speaks to the confidence and power of uniformity...LeBron and each one of his teammates is a true individual...and this individuality is heightened by the confidence they show in representing this unique, strong, singular message...” It's a winning move made even better by the fact that each of these guys looked so damn good wearing their calf-grazing pants. Long live the NBA Team Style Wars.
1250_04202018_Pacers_Cavaliers_Butler_0021
