Basketball fans are familiar with the Melo hoodie. They had heard about Untucked Kyrie. But in recent weeks, it seems like a new undefeated force has entered the NBA world, Wild Outfit James Harden. 

Whether you’re a sports fan who has participated in the NBA Playoffs or not, chances are you’ve seen one of Harden’s crazy performances scrolling through your timeline over the past few days. He got Marni’s Cookie Monster pants on May 1. Before Sunday’s game, he opted for something a little more tame (compared to his first outfit) and showed up at the Center Wells Fargo in some Rick Owens black capri shorts and a pair of shorts. black fur bucket hat made by Aaron Babylon that reads “WAR.”

Seeing some outlandish outfits in the NBA’s pregame tunnel is not a new phenomenon. Harden has been doing it for years. But (superstitious?) Sixers fans have figured something out. When Harden shows up in one of these unique outfits, he has an elite game. These two outfits yielded 45 and 42 points respectively, each leading to a Sixers victory. 

As a Sixers fan myself, I wanted to explore the possibility that Harden’s questionable tunnel ability could actually give him some kind of NBA Street Gamebreaker-like boost on the basketball court. Check out some of the craziest outfits from this past season and the results they brought for the Sixers below.

Cookie Monster but make it fashionable

Brian Babineau / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponents: Boston Celtics

Result: Win

Statistics: 45 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound

Wild Fit Rating: 4.5 out of 5 beards

The right tunnel started this lecture. Harden appeared at TD Garden for Game 1 of the Sixers’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics wearing a custom Marni jacket and pants. The trimmed zipper has a black circle-like leather panel on the chest and yellow and blue stripes on the right sleeve. The rest is made of blue fluff to show off the extremely baggy pants that some have compared to JNCO, the trendy denim from the late ’90s and early 2000s. The matte blue material is also Reminds people of Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. Honestly, the outfit, while ridiculous, will definitely get your attention. According to Harden’s Twitter, he decided to rock the concert because he was too busy to attend the Met Gala. But the most important thing here is that it gave a convincing victory to the Sixers, who were forced to play Game 1 without the help of injured MVP Joel Embiid. Harden exploded for 45 points, marking the high of his playoff career, in a 119-115 win. Maybe all that fur is perfect for keeping his hunting arms warm?

Ready for war

Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponents: Boston Celtics

Result: Win

Statistics: 42 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds

Wild Fit Rating: 3.5 out of 5 beards

After two embarrassing losses, coincidentally paired with two more pedestrian pregame outfits from Harden (a bomber jacket and Louis Vuitton jeans for Game 2 and Rick’s olive green leather suit Owens for Game 3), the Sixers need to bounce back in Game 4. Thankfully, Harden came to the arena in some questionable threads. He paired a pair of black capri pants (please don’t try wearing capris this summer) with internet-favorite Ramones sneakers and a white leather Fogpocket shirt, all smart. courtesy of Rick Owens. He decided to send a message to the Celtics with his headwear, a black faux fur bucket hat from A Universe by Aaron Babylon that features a chenille patch spelling out “WAR” in purple letters on the front . Is this as unique a pick as his game 1 pick? Are not. But it’s still not exactly something you see on the streets every day. Harden finished the game with 42 points, including the game-winning three points in overtime to secure a 116-115 victory, adding to the legend of “Wild Outfit James Harden.”

The ghost of Fitmas from the past

Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponent: New York Knicks

Result: Win

Statistics: 29 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds

Wild Fit Rating: 5 out of 5 beards

We decided to look back at some of Harden’s medleys before this Celtics series to really test this theory. If you thought the furry blue suit was Harden’s craziest outfit then you must have forgotten the one he wore to Madison Square Garden for Christmas earlier this season. Surprisingly, this was also courtesy of Marni. He shows up looking like a Starburst candy cane (or a citizen of Whoville, depending on which holiday reference you prefer) in a multicolored fleece jacket and matching mules. He completed the look with leather Marni pants, a pink ski mask by the Italian designer and a $42,500 Louis Vuitton Keepall covered in a leather bouquet from the Fall/Winter 2022 collection by Virgil Abloh. Harden completed his quick run up I-95 with a 29-point, 13-assist double-double, giving Sixers fans one more gift to celebrate Christmas.

‘Matrix’ x ‘Manly Man’ Randy Savage

David L. Nemec / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponent: Brooklyn Nets

Result: Win

Statistics: 21 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds

Wild Fit Rating: 4 out of 5 beards

Harden appeared in this first-round playoff game against his old team, the Brooklyn Nets, looking like a supporting character from the Matrix franchise. He sported a long purple coat with blue satin lining by Acne Studios along with a pair of purple fringed leather Mokoo pants that the late pro wrestling legend “Macho Man” Randy Savage would wear. proud. To keep with the tonal theme, he wore purple Louis Vuitton Trainers. Even though this outfit was crazy, Harden’s game was relatively calm by his standards. But the Sixers got the win, which is the most important thing. 

Puddles lead to splashing

Kenny Giarla / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponent: Washington Wizards

Result: Win

Statistics: 23 points, 17 assists, 7 rebounds

Wild Fit Rating: 3 out of 5 beards

This isn’t your typical Nike Tech set that you’ll see players in the NBA wearing on-court when they want to keep things comfortable. During this trip to Washington DC, Harden decided to keep warm with a matching cashmere suit from The Elder Statesman. The colorful striped outfit was paired with some yellow Bottega Veneta Puddle boots. Yes, the Sixers won. Harden’s goals were on par with his season average of 21, but he added an impressive 17 assists to help his team earn another win.

Dress well for every season

Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE qua Getty Images

Opponent: Washington Wizards

Result: Lost

Statistics: 24 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds

Wild Fit Rating: 4 out of 5 beards

Okay, so Harden wearing some colorful outfits in the pregame tunnel isn’t an easy way to predict a Sixers win. The November 2 game against the Washington Wizards is one such example. This outfit makes it look like Harden didn’t check the weather forecast before leaving the house. Above, he wears a bubble vest over a black Bottega Veneta turtleneck. Seems appropriate for a November night, right? Well, he paired it with some cream shorts from Bottega. It was the 50s in Philadelphia on this particular night, so maybe we’ll give him a pass. But then, for footwear, he went right back to winter wear with his Rick Owens Gethsemane moon boots. 

We will call this an outlier in the data. Over 40 matches and five wins in a six-kit form was too much to pass up. Our conclusion, the wilder Harden’s pre-game look, the more confident you can have a stellar performance and win for the Sixers.