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Focus Fashion: When dressing for work gets real
The pressure to win Game 5 pushes players into the functional style zone
Ever walked into the office before a stressful presentation and noticed that your team looks like a stripped-down version of themselves? No one looks disheveled, sleep-deprived or unprofessional; folks have bathed, eaten breakfast and been to Starbucks. But deadlines or elimination points have a way of focusing the mind and closet.
Several Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder players arrived at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals wearing pared-down, focused outfits. The collective style message seemed to be: Ain’t nobody got time for all the splashy, superfly gear or Instagram-worthy outfits. Get dressed, take your butt to work, and do the thing.
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder arrives before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 26 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE
Russell Westbrook’s subtle, yet fashion-forward black street wear look – jeans, leather jumper over a layered black-and-white print T-shirt – may be the point guard’s most elemental look of the playoff season. Kevin Durant and Steven Adams each wore a version of the pro-athlete normcore uniform: comfortable, in-the-zone basics.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors before facing the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals during the 2016 NBA playoffs on May 26 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
League MVP Steph Curry, a man who rarely deviates from the kind of non-flashy clothes worn by wealthy, hot dads around the world, looked to be back in fighting form after two poor performances in previous games.
The pregame must-win fashion worked for the Warriors, who forced a Game 6 after a 120-111 win against the Thunder.