GROOMING

five minutes with russell westbrook

From thunderous (yup, we just said that) dunks to postgame pressers gone viral to a clothing and accessories line at Barneys, Russell Westbrook’s renown is as rooted in basketball as it is in culture and fashion. This February, New York City played home court to both NBA All-Star Weekend and Fashion Week, so the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sartorial standout had a busy trip to our hometown. Still, we caught a few minutes with him at the launch party for his eyewear line’s collaboration with JackThreads to rap about clothes, hoops, and the AllStar Game MVP award, which he accurately figured would go to…well, him. TAJ REED

NYLON GUYS: YOU’RE ONE OF THE LEAGUE’S STANDOUT GUYS WHEN IT COMES TO FASHION. THE FACT THAT NEW YORK IS HOSTING FASHION WEEK AND NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND MUST BE GLORIOUS FOR YOUR SCHEDULE. RUSSELL WESTBROOK: Yeah,

it’s fun, man. I get to kill two birds with one stone. For me, it’s good to be interactive with both—do a little business, do a little basketball—it’s great.

ANY FAVORITE NYFW SHOWS SO FAR?

I just got here today, but I’m gonna check out Public School and maybe one more show.

THERE’S A CONNECTION THERE, NO? PUBLIC SCHOOL RELEASED A SNEAKER WITH JORDAN BRAND.

Yeah, they got the collab. But I didn’t get it yet. YOU’RE A JB-SPONSORED ATHLETE, THOUGH! WHAT’S THE HOLDUP?

I don’t know why I don’t have it, to tell you the truth—I should! But, for now, I’m looking forward to seeing the [Public School] show. It should be good.

YOU’VE GOT A HANDFUL OF COLLABORATIONS, HOWEVER, TO LAST YOU UNTIL THAT SNEAKER COMES AROUND. HOW OFTEN DO YOU DRESS IN YOUR OWN GEAR? Always! Today

I have my Jordan sweater on and I usually throw on at least one piece at a time. But sometimes I go all Westbrooked-out.

AFTER WHICH, YOU WALK INTO MJ’S OFFICE AND SLAM-DUNK A PACK OF HANES LAY-FLAT T-SHIRTS IN THE TRASH CAN?

[Laughs] Right. Switch it all up.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT WITH JACKTHREADS. The JackThreads

people met with my people, came to the office, walked around, and thought it’d be a great idea to collab on some shades.

SIMPLE ENOUGH. BUT THIS ISN’T YOUR FIRST TIME AT THE RODEO, THOUGH.

No, not my first time, but I’m just happy to be at the rodeo, I can tell you that much.

CHOOSE ONE: ALL-STAR MVP OR NBA’S BEST DRESSED. [Laughs]

I would have to say All-Star MVP, because basketball is my platform. Without basketball I probably wouldn’t be able to venture out and do all of this fashion stuff. Basketball is my main focus, and then fashion comes right after.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WON’T

WEAR? Yeah, a skirt. I’d never wear a skirt.

PUMP YOU UP

WE TEST-DRIVE REEBOK’S NEW ZPUMP FUSION AT THE BRAND’S SPORTY HEADQUARTERS. BY MARISSA SMITH

Reebok has always given me #tbt vibes, thanks to my infatuation with its Insta Pump Fury from the early 1990s. Everyone knows that shoe is iconic, essential Reebok. So, in answer to our prayers for more Pump, the brand has launched an athletic shoe, dubbed the ZPump Fusion, that incorporates a new version of that beloved pump technology.

Naturally, I jumped at the chance to visit Reebok’s headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts, to test out this new style, and the experience did not disappoint. First off, that building. The headquarters are surrounded by a track, and include a gym, a CrossFit box, a basketball court, exercise studios, and even a small Spartan Race course outside. It’s the kind of workplace that puts all of us desk-dwellers to shame.

When the time came to try the shoe, I got to see how it fits, feels, and moves during different types of workouts. The ZPump Fusion is comprised of three main parts: the Fusion Sleeve, which holds together key components of the shoe and fuses the Pump to your foot; the Pump technology, which features an air-filled cage around the sides and top that molds to the foot for a locked-in custom fit; and the Z-rated outsole that helps with high-speed performance (inspired by Z-rated tires to provide control). The shoes were perfection—I ran backwards with ease, glided through the obstacle course unfettered, flew up the stairs and around cones. And needless to say, all decked out in sleek black and neon, I looked good doing it.