OFF THE COURT AND INTO THE STREETS

How basketball influenced street wear and sneaker culture.

Words by Emane Haque

Art by Kodah Thompson

NBA stats can tell you a lot about a player: three-pointers made, rebounds, blocks. But what’s missing on traditional rosters and (what we care about) is the style stats of each player. Fans of basketball are most likely well aware, but players have more to offer than the final score. Turn on ESPN and take a look for yourself. The real show starts with what they bring to the stadium, and we aren’t talking about their free-throwing abilities. Take a look at arena entrances and tunnel walkouts. You’ll see players dripped out in designer brands head to toe, with sneakers at the center of attention, for obvious reasons. Even during games, players are able to express their style by picking which shoes they wear, a privilege that athletes usually don’t get. But style isn’t new to the game. Fashion and basketball have long been intertwined, influencing us on and off the court.

Formal wear before games has been required since 2005 due to David Stern, the basketball commissioner at the time, instating a dress code. The ban included items on sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, shorts, chains, sunglasses worn indoors, and baggy/loosefitting clothes. Many players, such as Jason Richardson or SU’s own Carmelo Anthony, whose typical style consisted of the banned items, found that the new rules targeted Black basketball players. As a result, players began to follow the rules in their own way. Since the inception of the NBA, players have developed their own approach to following the rules while still expressing themselves. The nature of basketball also favors such individuality. Since its rules only allow ten players on the court at a time which allows for plenty of spotlight, each player has a significant audience reach. Because of the necessity of each of the five basketball positions, any player has the chance to be a fan favorite. Thus, to make a name out of the arena, ballplayers show off their personalities as well. Fashion is a means to do that, and no matter what team, the players have made waves in the fashion industry.

We have to give a special shout-out to players, in particular, who brought fashion to the forefront of the NBA. Ahead of his time, ‘90s Chicago Bulls Player Dennis Rodman’s style transcends traditional modes of fashion, binary expressions of gender, and matchy-matchy items. Instead, what you would see Rodman wear could be anything from flashy silk blouses, sparkly cropped camis, and lacey open shirts with either baggy jeans, leather pants, or other edgy bottoms. Basically, everything Urban Outfitters carries but better. Don’t forget the plethora of accessories, his piercings, and his shaved dyed hair before Frank Ocean brought it back with Blonde. Like Rodman, another player who set the standard on what it means to be a fashionable NBA Player is Allen Iverson. Iverson, while having a more subdued look than Rodman, still broke molds, such as debuting the Timbs and sweatpants combo for all of NYC to adopt or the iconic “throwback jersey” look. In fact, the ruling David Stern put out in 2005 was dubbed the “A.I. Rule,” as it directly targeted Iverson’s look. Today, Iverson has been associated with several fashion brands for years, such as Reebok. Due to Rodman’s and Iverson’s unapologetic embrace of personal expression, other players can follow in their footsteps.

Besides influencing our fits and, arguably more important, basketball has directly caused the rise of sneaker culture. Starting with the first basketball shoe released by Converse in 1917, the Chuck Taylor All-Stars were the first shoes ever to have a player’s name associated with and branded on them. But Walt Clyde Frazier was the first to have a signature NBA shoe, dating back to the 70s. Designed by himself, the Puma Clyde became the choice footwear within the hip-hop and skater community and continues to remain a staple among the oldschool fashion community. While many players have come out with their own shoes, the most popular remains the Air Jordans. For their nostalgic value and carrying Michael Jordan’s namesake, both retro pairs of Jordan’s as well as redesigned versions sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars. And Jordan’s aren’t just a shoe, they’re artifacts of cultural importance. They pioneered the trend that shoes can be worn off the court and intertwine with life. You walk on the street and you’ll see basketball shoes making a statement whenever you go.

Since the success of the aforementioned predecessors, sneaker collaborations between players and shoe companies have morphed into a long-standing relationship. It’s a relationship fans can’t seem to get enough of; fans want to emulate those they admire, and their enthusiasm is contagious. The taste of basketball fans has trickled down to the general public. Even those uninterested in basketball have items that become popularized due to its players’ notoriety. Think about the number of people you see on campus wearing Oreos or Dunks for the aesthetic without even knowing the rules of basketball. Corporations also took note of the star power of basketball players. Nike and other brands have worked with players to do collaborations because of how valuable their image and influence are. The resale market understands it as well and even exploits it, with huge secondary markets that upcharge crazy amounts because they know someone is willing to pay if it means they get to have a pair their favorite baller has. Personally, we think StockX resellers have a nice spot in hell awaiting them.

A change from its past, the NBA has embraced and even begun publicizing what different athletes are wearing pre-game. Current players like PJ Tucker, Jordan Clarkson, and Russell Westbrook are known for their eclectic, bold style that matches their insane skill level. Basketball athletes are influencers in their own right; a by-product of their skill gives their taste in fashion value. When you hoop the way these men do, no one can question why you mix Nike with Louis Vuitton. Shoes from the All-Stars are made in hopes of catching on as Jordan’s did. Without basketball, our closets and shoe racks would be a whole lot blander. And if you can’t ball like an NBA player, at least you can look like one.

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