Image via Complex Original
The NBA has recently become a hotbed for athletes to show off their personal style. Ever since the former commissioner David Stern initiated a dress code, players have been trying to figure out how to fit into regulations, while maintaining the flashy style of the league that's been in effect since the days of Walt Frazier and Magic Johnson.
While others have succeeded, others have failed miserably—much to the enjoyment and bewilderment of spectators off the court. A bizarre trend cropping up in the last few years as been the introduction of hats into the pre and post game player outfits. While some are just basic accessories, others are straight out of a playoff fever dream. For All-Star weekend, we've gone back through the archives to find the most insane hat moments. This is A Recent History of the NBA's Weirdest Hat Moments.
“Let 'em Have It”
Occurred: Jan. 27, 2015
Starring in a bizarre New Orleans Pelicans' ticket promotion video, Anthony Davis and company act out the video like used car salesmen. In classic local commercial fashion, Anthony Davis dons a cowboy hat, telling the fans they “can have it.”
Steampunked
Occurred: Oct. 20, 2014
In a preseason loss to the Bucks, Iman Shumpert pulled out a hat with a clock on it. We can only think that Shump was getting style help from Flavor Flav when he selected this timepiece-meets-domepiece.
What the Melo?
Occurred: Nov. 7, 2014
Is it denim? Is it tie-dye? Is it a top hat? Is that a green match stuck in the side? There are so many questions with this hat, but the biggest one has to be: Who the hell let Melo buy that hat?
Stay Happy
Occurred: April 4, 2014
Lebron straight ripped off Pharrell by choosing to don a similar Vivienne Westwood hat after a game with the Timberwolves. Lebron said the reason he chose the hat was because he was “happy”—something Lebron needed following the Heat's double overtime loss that night.
Terrible From Head to Toe
Occurred: NBA All-Star Weekend 2013
Not only is he wearing a hat that's way too small for his head, but Westbrook looks like he's put on Thom Browne true to size—and then it shrunk another size. There's absolutely no need for this whole look, not to mention the hat. This may be the moment when Russell realized he could get away wearing just about anything.
Knock on Wood
Occurred: April 25, 2014
Point guard for the Grizzlies, Mike Conley wore a fedora with a genuine wooden brim to a post game conference in last year's playoffs. Even though Conley has worn wooden accessories before (he sported a wooden bowtie the season before), we almost wish he went full on wood…pause.
Carmelo's Army
Occurred: Dec. 21, 2012
Part newsboy, part M. Bison from Street Fighter, Melo rocks a hat that was probably last seen dancing across the stage a few blocks over on Broadway. Whether he's bringing down the bourgeoisie or staring in Newsies maybe this proves Melo's got a career outside of playing ball.
Houston Harden
Occurred: March 7, 2014
James Harden put on this ten-gallon hat on his way into Toyota Center. He is playing in Texas, but no one said you had to take your home team's location show literally. You don't see Nate Robinson dressing up like a prospector on his way into Pepsi Center.
“Swag is For Boys, Class Is for Men”
Occurred: Jan. 19, 2012
It's not only that this looks like a hat that Rondo copped for less than $15, but we're afraid that he'll soon be calling out the haters and trolls on the internet in his bathroom mirror.
Monopoly Melo
Occurred: May 5, 2014
It's hard to not put Melo on this list as much as we have when he struts out in stuff like this. Yes, we understand that you needed to dress up for the Met Gala, but we don't recommend taking any style advice from the Parker Brothers.