NBA: Steven Adams displays sartorial splendor at Oklahoma City Thunder 'Suit Day'

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams is notorious for his casual dress code, but has given fans a glimpse of his sartorial potential, as his Oklahoma City Thunder observed 'Suit Day' for their latest home game.

Traditionally, the understated Rotorua native rocks up to Chesapeake Energy Centre in camouflage gear and jandals.

But when veteran teammate Chris Paul ordered more formal attire for their clash with Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday (NZ time), the seven-foot (2.13m) centre wowed the crowd with his dapper appearance.

Paul had planned the occasion well in advance, order a tailor to measure up the Thunder players earlier in the season.

"He was like, 'Yeah bro, wear it to the game... it's a team thing'," reflected Adams.

"And I was, like, 'Ah shit'. I was just going to hang it up."

All-Star point guard Paul, who was traded to the Thunder over the off-season, wanted to do something special for his new teammates.

"The cool part is not what it is, but that we did it together," he told media.

 

"Stevo, I've never seen him with a pair of shoes on. He came in here fresh, with the hat on."

In his inimitable style, Adams had backstory about the last time he actually wore a suit... for former Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

"There was a massive tear, a big rip down the side," he recalled. "No-one saw it, because I was holding it the whole night.

"There was just a hole and you could see my underwear, I made it work though. That was probably the last time I wore, like, shoes and stuff.

"I kind of screwed me up when I came in, because I give a certain amount of time. I didn't realise how much time it takes to put on all that shit.

"It's a lot longer than what I normally... I didn't account for it. I was, like, 'F*** this, mate'.

"I was just, like (takes a deep breath, suck in stomach), trying to f***ing put all this in and button these up. Lots of buttons, a lot of weird things."

All that trouble was well worth the Thunder's trouble, after they rallied from 24 points down to edge the Grizzlies 126-122, their second big comeback win in three days.