The world of professional basketball has very few names placed on the same level as Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson. Devoting more than a decade to their favorite sport, both former athletes have achieved remarkable success on the court and earned numerous accolades along the way. While basketball may have remained their one true passion, there is another common interest that connects the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers legends: Fashion.

In certain situations, the skills and prowess displayed on the basketball court aren’t the only thing that keeps an NBA player in the spotlight. Often, the clothes and accessories they choose to adorn on and/or off the court go a long way in catching the attention of fans. Both Wade and Iverson realized that fact and made full use of it by bringing their own distinctive flair to the game. Keeping the above points in mind, the following article will place both Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson on a pedestal to decide who the better dresser is.

Dwyane Wade: The NBA King of Class

In his 16-year career with the NBA, the Miami Heat star established himself as a fashion icon. From wearing a green suit and velvet loafers at an award ceremony to adorning a full peach Versace suit almost a decade later, Wade’s fashion sense evolved with time but never failed to not catch the attention of his fans.

Wade was amongst the first few players to play tango with the dress code that the NBA implemented in 2005. For him, the restrictions on his dressing choices on the court only compelled him to better his choices off the court.

”It was like, ‘OK, now we got to really dress up and we can’t just throw on a sweat suit,”’ said Wade during a throwback interview. ”Then it became a competition amongst guys and now you really got into it more and you started to really understand the clothes you put on your body, the materials you’re starting to wear, so then you become even more of a fan of it.”

Often, Wade has been seen adorning clothes in colors that many would allegedly describe as ‘feminine’. Luckily, the former player is someone who feels comfortable with his choices and does not let any criticism he faces affect him. Wade’s fashion choices often became the subject of debate. Back in 2012, he was photographed by the paparazzi as he was heading to a crucial game against the Indiana Pacers. The Heat star was seen donning a pair of bright pink pants and a bag, along with a pink finger sleeve. When his then-teammate LeBron James reportedly said “You look like Eddie Murphy in the ’80s”, Wade reportedly didn’t take too long to reply “Eddie Murphy wishes he looked like me”.

Dwyane Wade continued his trend of dressing himself up graciously even after retirement. Some of his eye-catching moments include his all-black look at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, his white suit adorned with gold buttons at the Met Gala, his yellow tank top at the Prada show, etc.

The NBA athlete turned fashion icon wanted to maintain his image as an eye-catching dresser during his recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During a celebration event commemorating his induction, the 41-year-old wore an all-white tank top, leather shoes, and black slacks. During the actual red carpet ceremony, he caught onlookers’ attention by adorning a crimson double-breasted suit from Versace, paired with black boots and a specific set of jewels.

Allen Iverson: The Rebellious Dresser

The Philadelphia 76ers legend became notorious on and off the basketball court due to his choice of clothing. Making use of his partnership with Reebok, Iverson would go on to lay the foundation for others to copy his revolutionary style that reportedly put the unspecified NBA traditions on hold.

Iverson brought the “hip-hop” dressing style to the attention of NBA fans, often dressing up in baggy sweatpants or baggy shorts, adorning flashy jewelry and displaying his full-sleeve tattoos to everyone. The 2001 MVP would seldom leave his head uncovered, often adorning it with fitted caps, durags, and/or bandanas. Many fans started copying Iverson’s style of braids during the days of his prime.

Iverson’s style was copied not only by the fans but also by the other players as well. During the 2000-01 NBA season, the 76ers player started wearing a basketball sleeve on his elbow as he was still reportedly recovering from bursitis. His then rivals Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant liked the look, and started donning a sleeve on their elbows as well.

Iverson would refuse to wear a suit during some specific events, even at the reported insistence of the NBA league. According to him, his choice of clothes was meant to reflect his humble background and act as a way to give a voice to the place where he grew up.

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“My thing was I dress like the guys from my neighborhood. I wouldn’t wear suits to a basketball game, I never wore a suit to the park. Everybody’s dressed up like they’re going to Sunday school. I just wore what I usually wear” said Iverson during a statement. “I used to always say, ‘They want me to put on a suit. The outfit that I got on right now costs way more than a suit.”

Who is the better dresser?

Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson are amongst the leading fashion icons of the NBA. They represent different but memorable fashion choices. The author, however, has to make the ultimate choice on who is the better dresser. In this situation, he will have to side with Dwyane Wade.

It is true that both the former players are known for making bold fashion statements that highlight their mindset. However, the fashion style adopted by the Heat star leans towards timeless elegance, while Iverson’s style represents his humble background. Wade moves with the current trend, representing the fashion choices that the people of today want to see themselves in.

A.I. may pay close attention to each part of the attire he adorns. However, it does not match the level of Wade himself. He adorns suits that are reportedly perfectly tailored for him and accessories that flawlessly go along with his attire. The 41-year-old’s choice of dressing effortlessly goes along with the vibrancy of his social environment. Unlike the 76ers legend, Wade manages to switch between formal and casual wear effortlessly and still comes out as someone who exudes style at every turn.

It is true that both Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson have taken various opportunities to complement each other’s style. Both players share a level of mutual respect. Other than that, they also realize the impact that their choice of fashion has had on the rest of the NBA world. The duo’s sense of style is a testament to their ability to excel not only on the basketball court but also in the world of fashion. In the end, however, when making a comparison on the basis of style and class, Dwyane Wade must be placed higher on the pedestal.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.

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