Meet the NBA's Next Wave of Fashion Icons

Sometimes it seems like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have all the fun—or at least all the titles. Even more troubling for the rest of the NBA's stars, they've had the fashion market virtually cornered among the league's most veteran authorities on style. 

The bad news for Miami—if it's possible for such a thing to exist—is that the balance of fashion power in the NBA is changing before our voyeuristic eyes. A quick stroll through the 25-and-under Instagram bracket proves as much.

It takes more than thick-rimmed glasses and a tacky suit to strike stylish gold these days. That's where a new generation of well-dressed innovators comes in handy. 

Russell Westbrook—PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

With all Russell Westbrook's already accomplished in his fashion career, it's hard to believe he's only had 24 years to work at it. Complex.com's Karizza Sanchez named him the fourth-most stylish celebrity of any sort under 25—not far off pack leader A$AP Rocky, who probably deserves the nod for the dollar sign alone.

Westbrook's mixed results are par for the course with any fashion savant. His sheer willingness to think outside the box accounts for his hits and misses alike. The risk-taking is admirable given how well he pulls off simple.

Other times, he looks like a baseball player who just gave up and decided to go clubbing.

"

#fashionking #whynot #donthateonthebrodie #ayeeeeeee pic.twitter.com/Jj6FR4p2PX

— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) July 7, 2013"

Why not, indeed. Westbrook's bold choices have become so infectious that impressionable youths all across the country are following in his baby steps. 

"

RT @JHopLiterally: @russwest44 #whynot like my nephew's westbrook swag lol!!! pic.twitter.com/a0JTxOyk

— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) December 19, 2012"

The future looks bright. Maybe a little too bright. 

Iman Shumpert—SG, New York Knicks

According to The New York Times' Nate Taylor, Shumpert wasn't just rehabbing after his ACL and MCL tears in April 2012—he was cultivating his now-signature high-top fade. By April 2013, the league's best (worst?) haircut had turned into a nifty little billboard much to the NBA's disapproval.

Off the court, the 23-year-old has a way with shirts—this one featuring the Red, White and Blue underneath a green-haired Marilyn Monroe. Because obviously.

Shumpert's style is all the more compelling on account of his quest to be a rap god. The shades help too.

James Harden—SG, Houston Rockets

Like former teammate Russell Westbrook, Harden is a 24-year-old man-child with a hoops resume far ahead of his years. The list of style achievements, however, is even longer than that mythically proportioned beard of his. You know you're doing something right when you steal Kevin Hart's thunder.

But Harden's real claims to fame aren't suits and ties. They're the fully accessorized hipster motifs that somehow manage to never be all that annoying.

In the words of Ron Burgundy, "I'm not even mad. That's amazing." Besides the begrudgingly impossible-not-to-admire wardrobe, the red Skull Candy headphones pop pretty nicely too. But the real test of a man's closet isn't how he pulls off the best of looks. It's whether he can pull off jorts.

Impossible in this day and age?

Maybe not...

Paul George—G/F, Indiana Pacers

The refreshing thing about George's style protocol is his awareness that not every day is a runway day. You won't find gratuitous posing or any significant effort to get attention. But when Snoop's around, the fancy pants go on.

Along with a restrained yet eventful shirt-and-tie combo. Even casual nights out have an unmistakably dapper feel to them, this time featuring pants with the one camouflage pattern understated enough to work.

George has quickly become one of the NBA's coolest customers thanks to his electric all-around game and fearless dunks. With a fashion IQ to match, his unlimited upside isn't just about what he does on the floor.

John Wall—PG, Washington Wizards

You don't always hear Wall mentioned among the NBA's up-and-coming fashion elite, but that's primarily because you never hear him mentioned—period. There's perhaps no greater injustice when it comes to entirely inconsequential NBA injustices.

But it's still worth setting the record straight. Behold!

While you're trying to decide whether it's the white kicks or black handkerchief that makes this work, we can all agree it's what classy looks like in 2013. It might not get any classier, except...oh wait, it just did.

And Mr. Wall seems to know it.

Kevin Durant—G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder

Like Westbrook and Harden, it almost doesn't seem fair to include Durant in this list. It's easier for early bloomers to put themselves on the fashion map, because someone is already paying attention. How can you not pay attention when there always seems to be a backpack involved?

Well, not always.

One fashionista commenter described the look as a "Dope a** suit," and it's hard to disagree with that kind of assessment. Even when KD's just holding the wall up, he still looks better than most.

Dressing right has a lot to do with personality, so it's no coincidence Durant pulls off chic and chill with equivalent ease.

Now if he and Russ can pull off that first championship just as effortlessly...