Joakim Noah, Karl Malone and the fashion stars of NBA Draft history

By Ted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
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We'll come out and say it: Kyrie Irving is good. Derrick Williams is good. A couple of these foreign players may be good. Tristan Thompson and Jimmer may bang 30 in a game once in a while at the pro level. But honestly, there is no franchise-altering talent that appears to be lurking in the 2011 NBA Draft. As a result, it's a good year to discuss fashions. The NBA is inviting over 15 dudes to the green room, which means you'll see a lot of suit options. While at the bar, you have these options: (1) discuss what D-Williams brings to Minnesota (answer: "Not a lot, the team is many pieces away from contending") or (2) riff on what people are wearing, and place it in a historical context. We got you on No. 2.

Here's five of our favorite NBA Draft fashion statements ever:

Joakim Noah in 2007

Dude's a baller now, no question -- a key cog on a Bulls team that probably will win a title someday. But his choice of suit in '07 was hideous.

Karl Malone in 1985

Best PF ever? Maybe. Best player to never get a ring? Maybe. Most asinine decision ever to rock the short tie? No doubt.

Samaki Walker in 1996

Ever see that Family Guy where Brian tells Peter he looks like the Statue of Liberty's pimp? That's the look Samaki pulled off here. Side note: he's apparently balling in Korea now. More power to him.

Jalen Rose in 1994

The red suit is what it's all about on the night you become a millionaire.

Steve Nash in 1996

Nothing straight up with the fashion here -- it's a good, clean-cut look -- but let's be honest: this guy would go on to bang Elizabeth Hurley and whatnot, right? He looks like a ridiculous nerd here! It's so funny! HAHA! NERDS!!! Seriously, though, we're pretty dorky ourselves, so we can relate...