Russell Westbrook, Wall Street Journal fashion all-star

Russell Westbrook has made headlines this off-season with the release of his XO Barneys New York fashion line.  With Westbrook's hard work and notoriety comes recognition, and Westbrook highlighted it on his FaceBook page.

From the WSJ:

Westbrook XO represents a new kind of season opener for Mr. Westbrook, who begins his seventh NBA campaign on Oct. 29. At 25, Mr. Westbrook is one of the most thrilling players in the game, an explosive blast of above-the-rim energy and playmaking.

But this is not a basketball story.

This is about Russell Westbrook, style vanguard. You may know that pro basketball is in the middle a style renaissance. Players have been befriending designers and cramming their long legs into the front row at fashion week. There's LeBron James at Michael Bastian. Dwyane Wade at Richard Chai. Tyson Chandler at Alexander Wang. Amar'e Stoudemire at En Noir. The concrete corridors at basketball arenas have become new runways, where fashion-conscious players try to outdo each other before they even step on the hardwood floor.

Westbrook's climb in the fashion industry underlies his work ethic. His unique style aside, I think we will also all be very excited when he dons his customary orange and blue once again.