James Harden broke it out five years ago for his senior prom at Artesia High in Lakewood. The ensemble was sky blue and tan, with matching Nikes.
"It was almost a suit," recalled Loren Grover, Harden's high school basketball coach. "It just kind of typified his style."
In other words, it was like nothing anyone had seen before.
You would expect nothing less from the NBA's newest trendsetter. The Oklahoma City Thunder combo guard has a bushier-by-the-day beard that defies explanation and has spawned a legion of followers.
Harden also has become one of the most popular young players in the league thanks to his attacking style and heady play coming off the bench. He recently became the NBA's second-youngest sixth man of the year at 22, only a year older than Ben Gordon was when he won the award with the Chicago Bulls in 2005.
When it comes to generating earsplitting decibels inside Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy Arena, Harden is second to none. The super sub triggered louder cheers than those for All-Star teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook when he entered the first two games of the Thunder's Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers.
"Every single game they're there, cheering us on no matter who we play, no matter how good or bad we're playing, they're there regardless," Harden said this week. "That's true, consistent fans."
Of course, it's easy to support a winner.
Oklahoma City is 6-0 in the playoffs heading into Game 3 against the Lakers on Friday at Staples Center thanks in part to Harden, who has averaged 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the postseason. He also helped trigger two staggering comebacks, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder rally from a 13-point deficit against Dallas in Game 4 of their first-round series.
Harden sparked Oklahoma City's game-ending 9-0 run against the Lakers in Game 2 of their series on Wednesday with two driving layups in the final 1 minute 59 seconds.
The player who doesn't start games has become quite adept at finishing them.
"He understands that in order to be on a good team that you have to fill a role, and right now his role is sixth man and he was the best in the league this year at that position," Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks said.
Harden has come a long way since he was a chubby high school freshman who needed an asthma pump. He's worked vigorously to improve with the Thunder, just as he did at Artesia and Arizona State before becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 draft.
He led all NBA bench players in scoring during the regular season, averaging 16.8 points while shooting 49.1%, the highest of his career. Harden said he has benefited from an increased comfort level in his third pro season.
His beard has also evolved, taking on cult hero status.
The facial hair has more than 5,000 followers on Twitter and has prompted Thunder fans to show up at games with fake beards â€" and real ones modeled after their hero's.
"It's getting up there at the top of the beards," Harden said. "To be honest, I hope it grows a little bit more."
Harden's beard is complemented by a fauxhawk hairstyle that is similar to a Mohawk but without shaving the sides of the head.
Facing the Lakers isn't easy. Harden grew up a fan of the franchise and admitted to some nerves when he faced childhood hero Kobe Bryant in the first round of the playoffs two years ago.
Now look at him, generating buzz and fuzz.
"It's fun, it's showing how much he enjoys life," Grover, Harden's high school coach, said of the star's playful nature. "With James, a lot of things are possible."
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