Rockets: Antoine Walker eager to see Westbrook/Harden’s outfits in Orlando

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker is eager to see Houston Rockets superstars Russell Westbrook and James Harden’s outfits in Orlando.

When the topic of fashion is brought up in NBA circles, two of the names that first come to mind are Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The wardrobes of the Houston Rockets stars are every bit as dazzling and eye-popping and their game is on the floor.

Many often wonder what outfits Russ and Harden will be wearing upon entry to each game, as it’s not only become important, but also attention-grabbing. Harden and Westbrook were recently featured on the cover of GQ magazine, which is further proof and validation of their dapper looks and stylish ways.

As NBA players, Harden and Westbrook are allowed to show their personality and express their individuality through their wardrobe, because the league doesn’t have an expectation of players wearing formal attire to the games, so long as they’re active and playing. The coaches and inactive players are required to wear sports coats on the bench, however.

But for as lax as the NBA’s dress code policy is now, it’s about to get even more lax in Orlando, when the league restarts. NBA commissioner Adam Silver is removing the requirement of players and/or coaches having to wear a sports coat on the bench, as they’re now being allowed to wear team polos instead, regardless of whether they’re long-sleeved or short-sleeved.

Antoine Walker eager to see Rockets’ superduo’s outfits in Orlando.

This topic prompted conversation from the FS1 crew on their morning show First Things First, who happened to have Antoine Walker as a guest. The conversation shifted and Walker was asked which players’ outfits he was most eager to see in the Orlando bubble. Unsurprisingly, the two-time All-Star and 2006 NBA champion selected the Houston Rockets’ backcourt.

“You’ve gotta start with Westbrook. Westbrook and obviously James Harden. Those are two guys you’ve gotta look for.

There are going to be some of the worst outfits ever in Orlando. We’re gonna see pajamas, house-shoes, flip-flops, and old t-shirts.

You’re gonna see some things you’ve never seen before. In a bubble? And they’re not gonna have their families for the first month? Bad outfits man.”

Walker makes an interesting point regarding how the attire in the bubble will be much different than we’re accustomed to, for a multitude of reasons. For starters, there won’t be any fans around, which many believe make it less important for the players to look professional.

Another angle is that the players’ interviews will likely be conducted virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the players won’t exactly need to be dapper for full-body post-game interviews. When you consider these factors, it’s not off-base to think we’ll see a scaled back dress code for the players.

But Westbrook and Harden take pride in their appearance, so we shouldn’t entirely expect them to not armor themselves in something eye-popping, even if there are reduced stipulations regarding the league’s dress code policy.

We’ll just have to wait and see what The Beard and The Brodie have in store for us when the league restarts. The good thing is that the date is fast approaching, as the Rockets have already been given their schedule.