NBA playoff fashion: Praise, ridicule for players' wildest postseason outfits

From the court to the catwalk: NBA players show off their finest outfits during the playoffs. (Getty Images) By Mickey Woods It's become an annual tradition

From the court to the catwalk: NBA players show off their finest outfits during the playoffs. (Getty Images)

By Mickey Woods

It's become an annual tradition that when the NBA playoffs roll around the players also bust out their most over-the-top outfits. With no one at The Point Forward capable of breaking down these trends, we reached out to fashion expert Mickey Woods. We sent Woods 10 examples of NBA players' fashion from the 2014 playoffs and asked him to evaluate the good, the bad and the ugly. Emphasis on the last of those.

Here’s the thing: None of what follows is an attempt to bash the off-duty sartorial choices of basketball players. I’m no athlete -- at least not professionally -- so I can’t imagine making the potentially tough transition from the court to the catwalk. So, first things first: Let’s give these All-Stars an A-level kudos for doing their best (I think). Let’s also remember that style is about evolution, and it’s a matter of personal taste -- what “works” for you might not “work” for someone else. (Like, there are pictures of me somewhere in my ripped jeans and three, layered popped-collar Hollister polos that NO WILL EVER SEE BECAUSE OMG SHAMEFUL.) So, this also means that what “works” is in the eye of the beholder. My suggestions are what I would do if in these -- cough -- outfits.

RELATED: 2014 NBA Finals schedule, results | Staff predictions: Spurs or Heat?

Behold these gents in their off-court glory, for better or worse. Oh, the sneakers themselves are consistently ace, but no surprises there. Let's get to the breakdowns:

(All photos courtesy of Getty Images.)

Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat

OK, Mr. Wade, there are just so many elements here. Like three-separate-outfits SO MANY. Less is more is the maxim here, even though I love the playfulness of this look. I adore a tux-style button-down as much as the next fashion queen, and I live for a top button because to me it is the only way to wear a button-down. But it’s giving us a sheer effect, which is fine, but paired with cuffed overalls with the front pocket folded down? It’s a little pre-K. Oof. I feel mean. But overalls are hard to pull off, unless you are intentionally giving off hipster toddler realness. Love the sneakers, though!

James Harden, Houston Rockets

This might be unpopular opinion, but is it bad that I sometimes want to set all khaki pants on fire? I love the top, like I wanna borrow it, but let’s try denim with it. Like skinny on-season light-wash jeans with the cuffs rolled up to show off those great white low-tops. Sneaker freaker: 2 for 2, FTW!

Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets

I’m into this look. Some would say throw away the two-toned neon kicks. I say it’s a a risk that works, and actually, because the rest of the outfit is fairly neutral, those shoes add an element of surprise, in a good way. Also, Chandler is giving us a runway effect. Wish I were sitting front row.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

This doesn’t scream risk to me. It’s GQ-menswear safe. Not a bad thing. Just inoffensive men’s fashion. But like: Does the bag have a toothbrush in it?

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

Andre planned this blue-carpet appearance, y’all. It's like the look’s monochrome scheme on this carpet was pre-ordained. Speaking of: I’m a sucker for a collar tucked into a sweater or sweatshirt. It’s kinda Catholic nun/priest chic, no?

FINALS PREVIEW: Legacies at stake in Heat vs. Spurs II |What to watch

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Glasses, yes. Plaid henley that looks more like a tunic? Hell, yes. Pants? Ughhhhh. Shoes? Great, but not with this. If you insist on those pants -- which he clearly does and we can’t go back in time and yell fashion plays at him like maybe Scott Brooks would yell instructions on the sidelines -- maybe roll ‘em up and rock with a sensible Grenson loafer. YAS.

Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers

I wonder how this whole situation would be transformed if he wore the sneakers instead. I bet it’d be dope but the hat would be the first thing to go, in my humblest opinion because: CADDYSHACK.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

I see you.

Hasheem Thabeet, Oklahoma City Thunder

OK, this outfit immediately called three popular songs to mind: Bob Marley’s Jammin', Toto’s Africa and Madonna’s La Isla Bonita. THAT LAST ONE, THO. I actually love this look, mainly because all three songs are excellent, which has nothing to do with anything. No, seriously, I hear music when I see this. A-student B-boy realness.

Paul Pierce, Brooklyn Nets

"The Truth" hurts: I wish the shirt were styled differently. I wish the white-on-white from torso down wasn’t happening. Sigh. I don’t know what to say, but I wish lots of things, like how I’ve always wished to be a tarot-card reader, so that I could predict an all-knowing stylist were somehow in Paul’s future. (I’m so rude.) Namaste.

More SI.com NBA playoff coverage

2014 NBA Finals schedule, results | Staff predictions: Spurs or Heat?

FINALS PREVIEW: Legacies at stake in Heat vs. Spurs II |What to watch

VIDEO: Relive epic 2013 Finals between Heat-Spurs | No re-run in 2014

FINALS X-FACTORS:Parker’s injured ankle, Battier, Ginobili and more

JENKINS:  Adam Silver his own man | Anatomy of a Miracle: Allen’s three

SI ROUNDTABLE: How can LeBron still improve? | Knicks or Lakers job?

MORE: Oddsmaker favors … | Duncan on rematch: ‘We’ll do it this time’

PHOTOS:

Greatest upsets

NBA playoffs fashion

LeBron’s best playoff games