from Joe Smith of The Athletic,

When Auston Matthews watches the NBA pregame, he can’t help but be a bit jealous.

“It’s the whole runway show,” he said.

Matthews, 21, the Maple Leafs star and fashion aficionado, marvels at the out-of-the-box outfits showcased by the likes of Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James. From top hats to plaid pants to pink sneakers, the incredible show of individualism has sparked spreads in “GQ” and “Esquire.”

And it’s made for big business. Westbrook released a fashion book, “Style Drivers.” Dwyane Wade launched his own sock brand. Beats headphones blew up worldwide, partially thanks to James.

Matthews would love to see hockey players show that type of flair and provide a window into their world.

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