The old-timers might say they do not play protection anymore (and possibly they’re considerably proper), however the expertise degree within the NBA, high to backside, has by no means been greater. And on the high, the expertise is nothing in need of ridiculous — a lot in order that the best shooter within the sport’s historical past, Steph Curry, is coming off the bench on this 12 months’s All-Star Sport.
Moreover, the NBA surveillance sport has arguably by no means been higher. The general curiosity and appreciation for the timepieces we speak about every single day appears to have grown amongst NBA gamers within the days since we caught up with gamers like JJ Redick and Andre Iguodala. To display this, we zoomed in on the wrists of 16 of this 12 months’s All-Stars (together with an all-new Speaking Watches visitor) to see what they have been carrying over the previous few years.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: Breitling SuperOcean Automated 44
An NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, eight-time All-Star – and Breitling Ambassador – the “Greek Freak” is likely one of the most unusual and dominant gamers within the sport. Right here he’s at All-Star Weekend 2024 carrying the SuperOcean Automated 44. On the Dunk Contest, it was onerous to overlook when Giannis donned Shaquille O’Neal’s blazer simply earlier than Mac McClung jumped over him for his second straight win took dwelling.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: Rolex Day-Date
Photograph: Philadelphia 76ers Twitter
Final 12 months, his then-teammate James Harden gave Embiid this Rolex for successful the league’s MVP award. Whereas we all know teammate Tobias Harris is the true watcher of the 76ers, there’s one thing further particular about seeing a teammate’s date engraved for successful the league’s highest particular person award. We are going to mirror on this iconic watch second and want Embiid a speedy restoration. Though we cannot see him on the courtroom within the All-Star Sport tonight, we hope to see him within the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: Richard Mille RM 010
The four-time All-Star seems to have a rising Richard Mille assortment; Right here he’s carrying the RM 010 fabricated from titanium with a trademark inexperienced strap. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see which mannequin he chooses after the Celtics win the 2023-24 NBA Championship (just a bit tried title manifestation from Will Holloway: Resident Celtics obsessed).
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers: Cartier crash
No star participant has risen greater this 12 months than Tyrese Haliburton (with apologies to New York Knick Jalen Brunson). His enjoying is unorthodox however very, superb, identical to his Cartier Crash. The truth is, this crash has one thing of a backstory that occurred in a Mike Nouveau TikTok. He and 4 + One alumna Zoë Abelson personally introduced him with the watch after a house sport at Indiana earlier this season. He clearly loves his new watch.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks: Tissot PRX Damian Lillard Particular Version
It is checker time. And when eight-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard appears on the time as of late, it may be seen on the just-released 40mm Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Damian Lillard Particular Version. This model new model of the PRX format contains a dial texture consisting of the quantity 0, his quantity and a silhouette of Lillard in his “Dame Time” pose on the caseback. This watch collaboration from the official timekeeper of the NBA is a number of enjoyable, particularly for hardcore followers of the sport.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers: Patek Philippe Nautilus
He is probably not the primary identify that involves thoughts while you consider NBA superstars, however we’ve a sense Mitchell’s time is close to. His watch sport is already there – right here he’s seen with a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 on the 2023 US Open in New York Metropolis.
Julius Randle, New York Knicks: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Music Version
After we filmed Speaking Watches with Julius Randle final 12 months, we thought Julius was actually considering two issues: basketball and watches. He bought the AP Royal Oak Music Version to have a good time final 12 months’s all-star efficiency. One wonders how he’ll have a good time this 12 months’s choice.
Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks: Rolex Day-Date
“Ice Trae,” a three-time All-Star, is understood for his limitless capturing vary and eager curiosity in watches. Right here he’s carrying a gold Day-Date watch with a gold dial and seemingly fairly acceptable diamond indexes as he attended a sport in Toronto final 12 months. We’ll maintain an eye fixed out for his tunnel stroll this night.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: Richard Mille RM 11-03
Folks like to make the LBJ/MJ comparability, however let’s be sincere – these two have fully totally different video games and performed in fully totally different eras of the NBA. You may’t do higher than profiting from your time, are you able to? Right here, the GOAT of this technology and the NBA’s main scorer final December is carrying a Richard Mille RM 11-03. However we have seen LeBron put on every thing from RM to AP to essentially the most fundamental Rolex OPs lately.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
By some means, the Tenth-leading scorer in NBA historical past and two-time NBA Finals MVP is chronically underrated. Want a basket within the last seconds of a vital sport? There isn’t any more sensible choice than KD. Are you aware what will not be underestimated? The AP Royal Oak Chrono on his wrist.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: Rolex GMT-Grasp II “Batman”
“The Joker” is probably not the flashiest participant the league has ever seen, however the two-time league MVP and reigning NBA Finals MVP is a pleasure to look at – his imaginative and prescient and distinctive ability set virtually all the time result in optimistic outcomes . The joker. Batman. See what he is doing right here?
Luke Doncic: Dallas Mavericks: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono in matt white gold
Luca is solely among the finest offensive gamers within the NBA. Simply contemplate that he put up 73 factors in a sport in opposition to the Hawks final month. Right here he is carrying a particular version AP Royal Oak Chrono with a smoky blue dial that matches the colours of Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: Rolex Day-Date
In immediately’s three-point-happy league, the SGA’s swish midfield play is a breath of contemporary air. The 2-time All-Star is smooth, as is the Day-Date on his wrist. Although that is the watch we see most frequently throughout the league, it is by no means the unsuitable alternative.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: Rolex GMT-Grasp II “Pepsi”
When four-time All-Star Devin Booker will get going, he is nearly unstoppable, identical to he was when he scored 62 factors in opposition to Indiana just a few weeks in the past. Right here he wears a Rolex “Pepsi” GMT on an anniversary bracelet after successful gold on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Twin Time”
A two-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion, Steph is the very best shooter the sport has ever seen. He has revamped 600 extra three-pointers (and counting) than the subsequent man on the all-time listing, Ray Allen. He is additionally good at Met Gala-ing, right here carrying a 2021 Royal Oak “Twin Time.”
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in yellow gold
He is an NBA champion and a nine-time All-Star, however AD is usually overshadowed by his aforementioned LA Lakers teammate. As Julius Randle talked about in Speaking Watches, Davis will not be within the shadows relating to watch gathering. Right here he seems to be carrying a yellow gold Royal Oak Chrono with a blue dial whereas sitting between LeBron and Russell Westbrook in 2022.
