Image via Complex Original
The Oklahoma City Thunder were supposed to win the Western Conference Finals. Only nine teams in the NBA's history have come back from 3-1 down to win a playoff series. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were playing well. Steven Adams was a beast in the post. OKC completely obliterated the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors, in Game 3 (133-105) and in Game 4 (118-94). But, last night the Warriors beat the Thunder, and advanced to the Finals.
Still, that goes without saying that the Thunder/Warriors series was one of the best this playoff season. And, Westbrook certainly had everyone's attention. But it wasn't just his play on the court that had people talking. Over the course of seven games, The Brodie arrived each night in his flashiest, most outrageous, most Westbrook fit. One game it was a ripped shirt underneath a leather jacket. Before another game it was pinstriped overalls. There were too many memorable looks—good or bad—not to take a deeper look. Which pre-game outfit afforded the best playoff game performance? Let's examine.
Game 1
Date: May 16
Final Score: W 108-102
Westbrook's Stats: 27 PTS, 6 REB, 12 AST, 7 STL
Westbrook kicked off the series with one of the more subtle (by his standards) fits he'd rock in a span of seven games. The highlight here is his orange ultra long sleeve Vetements shirt. Vetements has become known for its super long sleeves, but who knew they'd be long even on Westbrook?
Westbrook is incredibly on-trend here, and perhaps this was a sign Vetements had become too mainstream—but that's another conversation for a different day. Either way, Westbrook and the rest of the OKC team pulled out a W this game. So, maybe the Vetements shirt brought good luck?
Game 2
Russ got on that new Ricky shotgun edition Yeezy shirt as seen in Boyz N The Hood lol pic.twitter.com/xFrl07RTvZ
— Hold The Door (@JeffLynch_) May 19, 2016
Date: May 18
Final Score: L 91-118
Westbrook's Stats: 16 PTS, 1 REB, 12 AST, 2 STL
OK. The Brodie has worn some wild fits in the past, and this was definitely up there. He came through in a ripped shirt—literally, it has a big hole in the middle of his stomach—with a leather jacket over it. You have to give it up to him for taking the risk, but this wasn't a good look. OKC took the L, and so did Westbrook.
Game 3
Date: May 22
Final Score: W 133-105
Westbrook's Stats: 30 PTS, 8 REB, 12 AST, 2 STL
Vans, short sleeve hoodie under a flannel shirt with a grey tee layered underneath, and black jeans. This is one of Westbrook's less flashy, less risky looks—and probably one of his best throughout the series. The Thunder also completely obliterated the Warriors that night. Coincidence?
Game 4
Date: May 24
Final Score: W 118-94
Westbrook's Stats: 36 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST, 4 STL
Just before Game 4, Westbrook appeared wearing a Givenchy "New Monogram" Star Shirt from the Spring/Summer 2016 collection. And...um...a pair of overalls, which we won't even talk about because, WHAT? The plus side is Westbrook put up a triple double for his best performance during the series, and the Thunder sealed a 3-1 lead against the Warriors.
So, in short: Westbrook wore one of his wildest outfits to one of his best games in the series.
Game 5
Date: May 26
Final Score: L 111-120
Westbrook's Stats: 31 PTS, 7 REB, 8 AST, 5 STL
Interestingly enough, Westbrook had worn all black fits to each elimination game this playoffs. For Game 5, he went with a Marcelo Burlon x Barneys Westbrook collection tank underneath a leather tee and a $695 Just Don x Barneys leather hat. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out, and the Warriors extended the series.
Game 6
Date: May 28
Final Score: L 101-108
Westbrook's Stats: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 11 AST, 4 STL
The black jeans, black tee, and Chelsea boots would've been a swish had he gone with a different jacket. Unfortunately, much like Game 6, Westbrook just missed the mark.
The Warriors went on to win Game 6, thanks to Klay Thompson's 41 points and big defensive plays by Steph Curry in the last few minutes of the game. Westbrook carried his load, but overall, OKC made some crucial mistakes down the stretch and couldn't close it out.
Game 7
Date: May 30
Final Score: L 88-96
Westbrook's Stats: 19 PTS, 7 REB, 13 AST, 2 STL
Early in the final game of the series, the Thunder looked like they might've had this one in the bag. The Warriors trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, before overtaking the Thunder in the third quarter. In the end, the Thunder lost to the Warriors—which is unfortunate because this is actually one of Westbrook's best 'fits this series.